Three Clarendon County sheriff's deputies were recognized Monday night for their efforts earlier this year in saving the life of a woman who was found submerged in a vehicle in Lake Marion off S.C. 260 near Manning.
Sheriff Tim Baxley said that a passing motorist observed a submerged vehicle in the evening hours of April 30 near the intersection of S.C. 260 and Herring Drive and immediately called 911.
Clarendon County Hometown Heroes founders Kelly and Alyssa Gottheiner said this week that were it not for Cpl. Kevin Wilson, Sgt. Clay Conners and Maj. Donnie Drose, the woman found in the vehicle would have died.
"One of the efforts of our organization is to try and encourage and support community relations with law enforcement," said Kelly Gottheiner at a dinner to honor the deputies' efforts. "One of the ways we do that is recognizing when we have extraordinary acts where these deputies go above and beyond their duties to serve and protect."
The trio worked together, Baxley said, to save the woman from a small, four-door vehicle fully submerged about 75 yards from the edge of the lake.
"They pulled her from the vehicle and placed her with her face out of the water and carried her to the lake shore," Gottheiner said. "Near the shore, Cpl. Wilson took over chest compressions and continued CPR. Maj. Drose and Sgt. Conners returned to the vehicle to ensure no one else was inside."
Drose said in early May that the woman didn't have a pulse when the responders got to her.
"They did save her life," Baxley said. "She stayed in a coma for a little while and eventually came to. She didn't have any brain damage or anything like that."
Drose said the woman was submerged for about 14 minutes.
If they weren't there, and no one else was, she wouldn't have made it," said Gottheiner. "We wanted to take a minute and recognize them."
Steven Deese said in May that were it not for the deputies, his sister would not be alive. Deputies did not release her identity.
"If it wasn't for the heroes, I wouldn't be able to see my sister alive," Deese said in a comment on manninglive.com. "Thanks very much. I can't thank you guys enough for all you have done."
Bailey said he's thankful for the program the Gotteheiners have started. Hometown Heroes allows youngsters to write essays honoring their favorite first responders. Thus far, a winner has been chosen for highlighting Chief Deputy Gene Morris, who also serves as a firefighter. Winners of the essay contest are treated to breakfast at Shoney's with law enforcement and then are escorted to school in a patrol vehicle.
"We appreciate the program that you and your daughter have started," Baxley told the Gottheiners. "We appreciate you putting education with law enforcement. We know that a bad apple spoils the bunch everywhere, but that does not happen here. We're trying to make a difference in everyone's lives here, and we thank you for helping with that."
