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Police Heroes

South Carolina deputy who saved baby’s life asked to be her godfather

mission: HERO
July 12, 2020
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South Carolina HERO Deputy William Kimbro saved the life of 12 day old Ryleigh. One year later at her first birthday party the family asked the deputy to be Ryleigh’s godfather.
Berkeley County Sheriff's Office

BERKELEY COUNTY, SC – One year ago Berkeley County Deputy Sheriff William Kimbro had no idea the car he was about to pull over would change his life, and that of a 12 day old baby, forever.

When Deputy Kimbro approached the vehicle he stopped for speeding he found a frantic mother inside. Her 12 day old baby was not breathing. 

Without a second thought Deputy Kimbro jumped into action performing CPR on the baby. Deputy Kimbro can be heard on his body camera (video below) pleading, “Come on, baby. Cry for me. Cry for me. Come on, open those eyes, sweetheart. There you go,” reported ABC 11.

Because of Deputy Kimbro’s selfless act, baby Ryleigh would go on to make a full recovery.

Fast forward one year. Deputy Kimbro is invited to Ryleigh’s first birthday party. At the party Ryleigh’s mom handed Deputy Kimbro a card. Inside it said, “will you be my godfather and I said ‘absolutely,'” Kimbro told ABC 11.

“I want him to feel like we’re family, which we are family. I felt like I had to give him a title, let him know, ‘hey, thank you, thank you so much,'” Ryleigh’s mom said.

Deputy Kimbro will be part of Ryleigh’s heart forever.

Ryleigh’s mom

Thank you for being a hero Deputy William Kimbro.

Deputy W. Kimbro Saves 12-day-old Baby

When we wear the uniform and badge, we become what someone needs at that moment. For one Deputy that meant he needed to become the line between life and death for one young child.On June 11, a Deputy was conducting routine patrol in the unincorporated Summerville area of Berkeley County when he stopped a vehicle for speeding. What happens next was all captured on his department-issued body camera.Upon stopping the vehicle, the driver immediately exited the car and exclaimed that the baby in her vehicle had stopped breathing. Deputy W. Kimbro knew he needed to act immediately to save the baby’s life. Deputy Kimbro made contact with the 12-day-old baby and her mother in the vehicle. The mother told the Deputy the baby stopped breathing after drinking a bottle. Deputy Kimbro took the baby’s limp and cyanotic body and performed lifesaving first aid. As a result, he was able to get the baby to breathe again until EMS could arrive. Because of Deputy Kimbro’s steadfast, professional and heroic response, the 12-day old baby was able to live. Please join us in congratulating Deputy Kimbro for his gallant actions that prolonged human life. He was awarded the “Life-Saving Medal” from Sheriff Lewis for his heroic actions that day. Well done!

Posted by Berkeley County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, July 11, 2019

mission: HERO

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