Deputy Charles Cramer Jr. is to be commended for his actions based on his part in helping during a car fire.

   On Saturday, April 2, 2016 Deputy Christopher Tucker (T-8) was dispatched to the scene of a single vehicle accident on the 1800 Block of Gordon Hwy.  On his arrival Deputy Tucker found the vehicle in flames with a driver and three passengers still inside the vehicle.  Deputy Charles Cramer (T-15) arrived on the scene shortly after Deputy Tucker’s arrival to help with the incident. While Deputy Tucker was assisting the driver and the three passengers from the vehicle, Deputy Cramer gathered several fire extinguishers from additional patrol cars at the scene to keep the flames at bay.  Deputy Christopher Tucker’s and Deputy Charles Cramer's quick thinking and speed to react was instrumental in the rescue efforts. 

Deputy Christopher Tucker’s and Deputy Charles Cramer’s actions are in keeping with the highest standards of professionalism in the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and reflect the type of dedication, caring and hard work that makes this agency what it is and has us all striving to make it better.

Corporal Jason Turner;

On December 11, 2015 at approximately 0100 hours Corporal Jason Turner and Deputy Matthew Sanderson were dispatched to an accident on I-20 at the Canal Bridge. A tractor trailer had run off the road and into the Canal. The driver of the truck had become free of the cab and was yelling for help. Cpl. Turner and Dep. Sanderson were able to locate the driver near the bank of the Canal. Both Cpl. Turner and Dep. Sanderson braved the cold, dark water and brought the driver to safety. The driver had a large laceration to the head and was experiencing paralysis when he was found. They remained with the driver until the Fire Department’s Water Rescue arrived and helped facilitate the extraction of the driver from the water. These Deputies faced treacherous conditions to save this person's life.

Due to their fast thinking, level of experience, and desire to help those in need, a life was saved.

Deputy Matthew Sanderson;

On December 11, 2015 at approximately 0100 hours Corporal Jason Turner and Deputy Matthew Sanderson were dispatched to an accident on I-20 at the Canal Bridge. A tractor trailer had run off the road and into the Canal. The driver of the truck had become free of the cab and was yelling for help. Cpl. Turner and Dep. Sanderson were able to locate the driver near the bank of the Canal. Both Cpl. Turner and Dep. Sanderson braved the cold, dark water and brought the driver to safety. The driver had a large laceration to the head and was experiencing paralysis when he was found. They remained with the driver until the Fire Department’s Water Rescue arrived and helped facilitate the extraction of the driver from the water. These Deputies faced treacherous conditions to save this person's life.

Due to their fast thinking, level of experience, and desire to help those in need, a life was saved.

Captain Gay: Life Saving Commendation and Honored for 25 year of Service.

I, as Sheriff of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, do hereby very proudly commend:

Captain Scott Gay is to be commended for his actions on September 15, 2015 which resulted in the saving of a life.

Dated this day, the Thirteenth day of October, Two Thousand and Fifteen.

On September 15, 2015, at approximately 0720 hours, Capt. Scott Gay observed a traffic accident on Washington Road just East of Town Centre Drive.  Columbia County Sheriff’s Office had units responding and when they arrived they found Captain Gay performing CPR on one of the drivers involved.  Captain Gay continued to perform CPR until he was relieved by Fire and EMS personnel. The EMS crew loaded the driver in the ambulance and was able to revive him at the scene.  All three paramedics credited Captain Gay with saving the driver’s life and giving him the opportunity at a fighting chance for survival.

Sgt. Lyons with the CCSO briefly spoke to Captain Gay at the scene, and stated that Captain Gay was humble and attempted to downplay the importance of what he had done to assist a person who was in dire medical condition.  Had this not been brought to our attention, Captain Gay would not have sought out any praise or recognition for his actions, in keeping with his professionalism and sense of duty. 

His actions reflect well on his personal commitment to service, and are a credit to himself and our agency. Due to his actions a life was saved.

Deputies Charles Kaminer and Thomas Andrews,

On August 29, 2015 at approximately 1903 hours, Deputies Charles Kaminer and Thomas Andrews were assisting Deputy Evan Vinston with a disabled vehicle on Belair Road. While at that location, a black male came running up the road yelling “He hung himself”.  Deputy Kaminer and Deputy Andrews got into their patrol cars and followed the subject to 3751 Belair Road. They noticed a male subject hanging from a tree limb by a cable that was tied around his neck. Both deputies immediately ran to him, where Deputy Andrews grabbed him to relieve the pressure from the cable, while Deputy Kaminer attempted to cut the cable. It was determined that the cable had metal inside, therefore Deputy Kaminer had to untie the knots in the cable. Deputies Andrews and Kaminer removed the cable from around his neck, and laid him flat on his back to begin CPR. The subject’s body was blue, with a faint pulse and he was not breathing. Deputy Andrews gave 1 chest compression and performed a sternum rub causing him to slightly gasp for air. Deputy Andrews was given a Bag Valve Mask (BVM) from Corporal Thigpen’s vehicle. Deputy Andrews began ventilating the subject as Deputy Kaminer assisted with securing the airway. Both deputies continued this process until First Responders arrived on scene.

Due to their fast thinking, level of experience, and desire to help those in need, a life was saved.

Deputy Ty Dailey

On May 2, 2015 at approximately 1224 hours, Deputy Ty Dailey was in the parking lot of the Rite Aid at 2501 Tobacco Road when he was approached by a female who stated that her father was having a heart attack in the Taco Bell parking lot. Deputy Dailey rushed to the parking lot to find Mr. Ronald Collins in his vehicle unresponsive with no signs of breathing or a pulse. Deputy Dailey radioed for medical assistance. Deputy Dailey then pulled Mr. Collins from his vehicle and started CPR until the arrival of Gold Cross and first responders. Mr. Collins was revived on the scene by medical personnel. It is without a doubt that due to proper training and a quick response from Deputy Dailey, Mr. Collins life was saved.

Deputy Dailey’s quick response was the critical factor in the survival of Mr. Collins. Deputy Dailey's actions are a credit not only to himself, but the Sheriff's Office as a whole.

Deputy Marion Campbell is to be commended for his actions on July 23, 2015 which resulted in the saving of a life.

        On July 23rd, 2015 while on routine traffic enforcement duties on the 2800 block of Glenn Hills Drive, Deputy Marlon Campbell observed a silver Chevrolet Impala traveling at an increased rate of speed traveling south on Glenn Hills Dr. He was able to catch up to the vehicle when it stopped at Glenn Hills Drive and Vernon Drive. Deputy Campbell encountered a Mr. Collier, who was the driver and learned that his son who was being held by the mother, Ms. Davis in the front passenger seat was not breathing. Deputy Campbell made contact with the juvenile and found him to be cold to the touch, cyanotic, not breathing and was not able to palpate a pulse. Deputy Campbell immediately took action starting CPR and requesting EMS to the scene. I, Corporal Schaffer along with Deputy Usry, T3, responded to the scene to assist Deputy Campbell. Prior to our arrival Deputy Campbell was able to get the juvenile breathing again and was able to get a faint palatable pulse. EMS and First Responders arrived on scene and continued to provide emergency care for the juvenile. The juvenile was transported to the Georgia Regents University Medical Center and was listed in critical but stable condition.

Based on my years of service in the military as a combat trained medical specialist, Deputy Campbell's calm reaction and quick action in my estimate was the critical factor in the child's surviving to be transported to a Medical Facility for a higher level of care that the child was desperately in need of. Deputy Campbell's actions are a credit not only to himself, but the Traffic Safety Division and the Sheriff's Office as a whole.

Corporal Dale Roberts

On June 9, 2015, Sergeant McCormick, conducted a traffic stop at the Shell Gas Station at 3105 Deans Bridge Road.  Corporal Dale Roberts came to assistance of Sergeant McCormick during the stop. The driver of the vehicle, Ms. Latoya Burns pulled up to the gas station and got out of her car yelling that her baby, Jayceon Burns, one year of age, was not breathing. Corporal Roberts did not hesitate as he rushed to the car and began performing CPR on the one-year old. He continued performing CPR until the baby regained consciousness and medical help arrived. Due to the quick response of Cpl. Roberts and his professional training, he was able to revive the child within a time frame that did not cause further injury or harm to the child.

Saving the life of a child is one of the greatest acts that an officer can perform. Corporal Dale Roberts' actions reflect great credit upon himself, his fellow officers and the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

Corporal Walter Ashley (Life Saving Award)

On March 25, 2015 at approximately 0930 hours a female, later identified as Ashpiana Long, approached Deputy Eugene Brantley and asked him to call 911 because her one year old child, Ayden Long, was not breathing. Nine-one-one was called and Deputy Louise Staten came from her courtroom to assist. She determined that the child was not breathing and immediately began performing CPR. The child started breathing again for a brief period, and then stopped breathing again. Corporal Walter Ashley, who is one of the Sheriff’s Office’s CPR instructors, began additional CPR and the child began breathing again. The child was breathing when the EMTs arrived and transported the child to the hospital. The child was awake and stable upon transport.

Deputy Brantley, Deputy Staten and Corporal Ashley are to be commended for their response. The actions of these deputies without a doubt saved a life.  Our agency and community are very grateful for your service with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Louise Staten (Life Saving Award)

On March 25, 2015 at approximately 0930 hours a female, later identified as Ashpiana Long, approached Deputy Eugene Brantley and asked him to call 911 because her one year old child, Ayden Long, was not breathing. Nine-one-one was called and Deputy Louise Staten came from her courtroom to assist. She determined that the child was not breathing and immediately began performing CPR. The child started breathing again for a brief period, and then stopped breathing again. Corporal Walter Ashley, who is one of the Sheriff’s Office’s CPR instructors, began additional CPR and the child began breathing again. The child was breathing when the EMTs arrived and transported the child to the hospital. The child was awake and stable upon transport.

Deputy Brantley, Deputy Staten and Corporal Ashley are to be commended for their response. The actions of these deputies without a doubt saved a life.  Our agency and community are very grateful for your service with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.