It’s all in a day’s work when you happen to be a Liberty County Courthouse deputy. And on Oct. 26, Lt. Gary Eason learned what is what like to take the extra step and save a man’s life.
It was shortly after 8 a.m. when Eason, who was just starting his shift inside the courthouse, was alerted by a woman that an elderly man was in need of help. Springing into action, Eason walked out with the woman to find the man flat on his back at the foot of the courthouse steps on South Main Street in Hinesville.
Without hesitation, Eason used his 24 years of law enforcement training and began performing CPR on the man who was found unresponsive with no pulse or breathing.
Courthouse cameras caught Eason applying CPR and a woman joining in to assist in helping the man. Eason did CPR for roughly one minute, and the man regained consciousness.
“He said thank you,” Eason said noting the first words the man said to him upon awakening.
The man was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah where he received treatment. Eason said the man works at the local Food Lion. He said he’s kept in touch with the man since the incident occurred. It was the man’s second brush with death Eason reported. Eason said doctors have now inserted a pacemaker in the man’s heart.
Throughout the ordeal Eason said he kept asking God to make things well. Since the incident Eason has checked on his new friend and even checked on his home while he was in the hospital.
Eason said it was the first time he ever brought anyone back from the brink of death.
“We are always looking out for our citizens here in Liberty County,” Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman said. “These are the good stories that the citizens need to know. We do more than just arrest people and we do care about our Citizens. On that day in particular Gary Eason did a wonderful job by initiating CPR and bringing this person back and getting his heart going until emergency personnel got on scene.”
Bowman went on to say everyone in his department will always do whatever they can to serve the residents of the community.
“We are going to do everything in our power to help you and make you feel special,” he said.
Bowman said they plan to recommend Eason receive a Life Saver Award and the Governor’s Award for Safety.
Watch the VIDEO below.