While there’s never a good time to suffer a medical emergency, some times are better than others.
Such was the case at the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office Friday afternoon when Courthouse Bailiff, Ron Byers found himself choking on a turkey bone.
“It was just a small bite of turkey that happened to have a bone in it. I didn’t even know there was a bone till it was lodged in my throat,” said Byers.
Byers said he tried to cough and dislodge the bone himself but quickly knew he was in trouble.
As luck would have it, Byers was surrounded by many fellow law enforcement officers who are trained in such situations and immediately jumped into action.
“The longer I stood there not able to breathe the weaker I got,” explained Byers. “I was able to get Scott’s attention and he quickly spun me around trying to help.”
With the help of Deputy Cox, who is also an EMT, they were able to clear Byers airway by performing the Heimlich maneuver.
“I could tell something was wrong and that he was motioning he was choking,” said Cass. “I did several abdominal thrusts on him and about that time Deputy Cox came up and we switched out.”
“I just thank the Lord that he was ok and that we were able to help him. I’ve checked on him several times and I know he’s sore but I’m glad we still have him here.”
Looking back on what could have been a tragic event, the Byers family can’t thank Sheriff Cass and Deputy Cox enough.
“Sheriff Scott Cass and Deputy Thomas Cox saved my husband’s life,” said Allison Byers. “They are our heroes.”
Byers daughter, Courtney also expressed her gratitude for saving her Daddy’s life.
“We truly believe that God puts people in our paths for good reason and because of you being in my daddy’s path that fateful day he is still alive, well and with us on this earth,” she wrote.
“You, are HEROES and I am forever grateful for you.”
Byers warns locals to be careful this Holiday season as your life can change in the blink of an eye and over something small like a bone.
“It was a scary situation but thankfully my fellow officers knew what to do and did it quick,” said Byers. “Everyone needs to be careful and be sure to not swallow one.”
