On February 13, 2019 Deputy Sheriff Darren McNeil responded to US 27 and K Square Road in reference to a vehicle crashing into the canal and it was filling up fast with water. D/S McNeil advised that when he arrived the vehicle was upside down and half way submerged, and none of the windows were visible.

At that time, D/S McNeil, assisted by off duty Fire Fighter Robert Hinton Jr, jumped into the canal, broke the passenger side window, and pulled the young girl to safety.

Deputy Sheriff D. McNeil jumped into the canal with complete disregard for his own safety and assisted in saving the life of a 16 year old girl.

Deputy Sheriff Darren McNeil received the Sheriff’s Life Saving Award, who under true emergency circumstances, acted to prevent the loss of life either by exercising appropriate first aid procedures or by direct intervention. The Life Saving Award is awarded to an employee for competent and expedient action that is directly accountable for sustaining or saving a human life.

On February 14, 2019 Deputy Sheriff Blake Branaman was in the area of Flaghole Rd. just south of Kilpatrick Rd, when the dispatcher advised of a vehicle crashing into the canal with three individuals trapped inside.

Deputy Branaman advised that when he arrived the vehicle was upright but the rear end was sinking fast. At that time, Deputy Branaman jumped into the canal and swam to the back of the vehicle because the rear window was already broken. When he got to the rear window he assisted the two children and the mother out of the vehicle to safety. As soon as he got the mother out of the vehicle the vehicle sank immediately.

Deputy Sheriff Blake Branaman received the Sheriff’s Life Saving Award, who under true emergency circumstances, acted to prevent the loss of life’s either by exercising appropriate first aid procedures or by direct intervention. The Life Saving Award is awarded to an employee for competent and expedient action that is directly accountable for sustaining or saving a human life.