A sheriff’s deputy collapsed during a work detail, and six inmates did something unexpected. They called 911 instead of running away.
The deputy was left struggling to breathe under Georgia’s intense humidity, sparking a life-saving chain of events.
Deputy Collapses on Cemetery Work Detail
On June 12, 2017, a Polk County sheriff’s deputy supervising inmates at a cemetery suddenly collapsed. The deputy suffers from Chiari malformation, which caused hyperventilation in the high humidity.
That’s when six inmates sprang into action instead of fleeing the scene.
Inmates Use Deputy’s Phone to Call 911
The inmates grabbed the deputy’s phone and dialed 911. They removed his bulletproof vest to ease his breathing and got ready to perform CPR, though it wasn’t needed.
That’s when officers arrived and took over the rescue effort.
Sentence Reductions and Pizza Reward
Sheriff Johnny Moats credited the inmates’ quick thinking with saving the deputy’s life. He announced a 25% cut in their sentences as a reward.
In Polk County, inmates normally earn two days off per day served, with work detail participants earning three days off per day. This reduction meant significant time shaved off for all six.
But that wasn’t the end. The inmates were treated to pizza lunch in the park, accompanied by desserts made by the deputy’s family.
Deputy Reassigned After Incident
The deputy was taken off work details after the incident and placed on patrol duty instead. The quick response from the inmates changed the course of this tense day.
This rare moment shows how split-second decisions can shift control in unexpected ways—and even rewrite sentences.