Deputy receives life saving award for saving a three-year-old boy

SULLIVAN COUNTY, TN – A Sullivan County Sheriff Deputy received a life saving award for saving the life of a three-year-old boy who had fallen through a glass table and was bleeding profusely.

Deputy Zack Smith had just gotten off of work and was pulling into his driveway when he heard a call about a little boy who was cut and bleeding out. Deputy Smith, who knew he was nearby, pulled out of his driveway and raced towards the call.

Once on scene, Deputy Smith used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding from the boys arm.

“He’s lost a lot of blood and it’s all- I mean, it’s everywhere,” Smith told WJHL 11. “I pulled my tourniquet out. I always carry a tourniquet on me. I pulled it out and he was bleeding from him armpit pretty bad. He had fallen through a table and a big shard of glass went up into his armpit.”

Deputy Smith was able to control the bleeding prior to EMS arriving. The child was transported to the Vanderbilt Hospital where he underwent surgery to repair a nerve, the muscle, and the blood vessel that were injured during his fall through the table.

EMS and medical personnel at the hospital said that Deputy Smith’s actions definitely saved the child’s life.

Deputy Smith received the State of Tennessee Life Saving Award for his actions.

Thank you for your service Deputy Smith. You are a true hero.