Two Gordon County jailers spotted an inmate choking and not breathing—and moved fast. Their training kicked in, and a quick Heimlich brought the man back.

What’s Happening:

  • The incident happened Sunday evening, August 10, in the jail’s booking area, according to the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office.
  • Deputies identified the responders as Deputy O.L. Towe and Jailer A.R. Kinsey.
  • The inmate, in a holding cell, was choking on food and unable to breathe.
  • The pair used the Heimlich maneuver, dislodged the obstruction, and restored his breathing, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Between The Lines: Sheriff Mitch Ralston said he was “extremely proud” of the employees’ “calmness in an emergency situation,” their attentiveness, and “swift action which saved a man from serious bodily harm or death.” The Sheriff’s Office noted all employees receive annual CPR and Heimlich training.

The Big Picture: Jails are as much medical triage as security. When help comes from the people already in the room, the difference can be life or death.

The Sources: Gordon County Sheriff’s Office.