Without hesitation, inmates at Wake County Detention Center ran to the aid of a detention officer last week when she fell to the floor (article available here).
According to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, the female officer was supervising a dorm when she began feeling unwell at her desk. Inmates noticed she appeared to look ill and moments later they sprang into action to get her help.
The medical emergency caused her to fall to the floor, unconscious. Two inmates went to her, using her radio to call for help. Others started banging on doors to get the attention of anyone passing by. The officer survived the medical incident and is at home recovering.
Despite inmates having no obligation to help vulnerable officers, the Sheriff made a point to commend the inmates for choosing empathy and choosing to not delay in getting help.
The sheriff’s office further said the officer did not just have her radio on her — she also had keys and pepper spray.
“This situation could have gone a different way, but it didn’t, and they helped her,” Detention Director said. “When we thanked the inmates after it happened, their first concern was how she was doing.”