Piedmont Columbus Regional has named deputies Jeremy Brightwell and Jonathan Kennedy with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office as First Friday Heroes for the month of December.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call in October about a house fire on Lee Road 41 in Beauregard. The caller advised they briefly left the room while cooking and returned to the kitchen on fire. Deputies Brightwell and Kennedy responded and immediately entered the home. Both deputies encountered heavy smoke and crouched low to search for people still inside the home.
During their search, the deputies located a 16-year-old girl unconscious on the floor, appearing to be overcome by smoke inhalation. Without hesitation, deputies Brightwell and Kennedy pulled the victim to safety where they initiated care until EMS arrived. They were also able to check the rest of the house to ensure no one else was inside.
The Beauregard Volunteer Fire Department was able to put out the fire. EMS personnel reported the girl was conscious but unresponsive, with stable vital signs and symptoms consistent with carbon monoxide poisoning. She has since been released from the hospital.
“The actions of these deputies are yet another example of the type of men and women who are the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, selfless response to emergency situations resulting in the saving of the life of another,” Sheriff Jay Jones said. “The same level of courage and care is often displayed by our city police agencies, full-time and volunteer fire departments, EMS services and our EMA in their efforts to serve Lee County citizens.”
A ceremony with Brightwell, Kennedy and hospital leadership will be held at 10 a.m. CT on Monday, December 8, at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to commend them for their response.
Piedmont Columbus Regional created the First Friday Hero program in 2016 to recognize first responders and everyday heroes each month who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
