Effingham County presents life‑saving awards to two deputies after May 22 knife‑injury response

At its July regular meeting the Effingham County Sheriff publicly recognized Deputy Brandon Cool and Deputy Tyler Custer with life‑saving awards for their response to a May 22 incident in Rural Dietrich.

The sheriff described the incident in detail: "On May 22, Deputy Brandon Cool and Deputy Tyler Custer responded to a call in Rural Dietrich where a woman was bleeding from a large knife wound to her forearm and her neck. Deputy Cool immediately worked to apply direct pressure to the woman's neck, while Deputy Custer controlled the bleeding to the woman's forearm." The sheriff said both officers "assisted EMS when they arrived and helped carry the woman across the muddy field to an awaiting ambulance after she lost consciousness." He added that "Deputy Custer rode in the ambulance to the hospital to help treat the injured woman while Deputy Cool remained on the scene to interview witnesses and collect evidence."

The sheriff told the board those actions "took quick life saving actions for a subject who was in both mental and medical crisis. Without quick medical intervention, a life would have likely been tragically lost." He presented the officers with life‑saving certificates and a commemorative pen; the sheriff noted the pins are sometimes worn on uniforms after officers receive the award.

Board members and the chair publicly thanked the officers during the meeting; no formal board action was required — the item was a public presentation and commendation from the sheriff's office.