PUTNAM COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Two Deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department have each been awarded the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Life Saving Medal for their heroic actions in response to separate incidents in the months of March and May, respectively.
Deputy Walters of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department (pictured left) responded to a crash incident on March 30, 2023, at mile marker 1 on Rt. 35 South. Upon arrival at the scene, Deputy Walters observed a red SUV which had sustained significant damage in the middle of the road. Smoke could be seen emitting from the vehicle.
Placing his police cruiser in a position which would most effectively protect the scene, he exited his vehicle and observed an elderly man standing outside the crashed vehicle. An elderly woman, the passenger of the vehicle, could be seen to have sustained a head injury which was bringing her in and out of consciousness while she remained trapped inside. Additionally, the hood of the vehicle was visibly on fire.
Deputy Walters retrieved his duty knife, cut through the seatbelt containing the passenger, and carried her to a safe distance from the vehicle just prior to its becoming fully ingulfed in flames.
“Deputy Walters quick thinking without thought of his own personal safety, went above and beyond the call of duty and without his actions the injured would have surely perished,” said Putnam County Sheriff Robert Eggleton. “It is with pride that I present Deputy Adam C. Walters with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Life Saving Medal.
Deputy Wood of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department (pictured right) was additionally honored for his actions on the night of May 30, 2023, which saw the deputy respond to a head-on collision at 10:00pm which had occurred on Rt. 62 in the Bancroft area.
Upon his arrival, Deputy Wood observed a pickup truck and passenger car. The truck involved was smoking, prompting the first response from the deputy. A woman could be seen inside with a towel over her legs. Removing the towel, it could be seen that the woman had suffered compound fractures in both legs and was profusely losing arterial blood.
The woman reportedly asked Deputy Wood not to let her die, as the officer comforted her while applying a tourniquet to one of the legs. He then applied direct pressure until emergency medical responders arrived with a second tourniquet for the additionally impacted leg.
“Without the fast thinking and knowledge of combat care, and his compassion for the victim, the worst outcome was averted,” said Putnam County Sheriff Robert Eggleton. “It is my honor to present the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Life Saving Medal to Deputy Matthew D. Wood.”
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage for the Putnam County area can be found here.