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(WTOC) – BULLOCH CO., GA – Deputy Rey Rodriguez has patrolled Bulloch County for a decade.
“I’ve been in chases, arrested murder suspects, been in shootings. But when it involves a child,” said Sgt. Rodriquez.
A call last Wednesday sent him flying down a dirt road where two kids had overturned the family’s ATV buggy in the mud. It left 10-year-old Charlie Waters pinned underneath and his sister in a state of shock.
“When I could see the young child, the ATV was sitting right on top of his neck,” said Sgt. Rodriquez.
He sprang into action with a new tool in his new patrol car.
“I remembered I’d put a strap in the bag, just in case. It came in handy that day,” he said.
The quick action earned him a Lifesaving Medal from the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and the gratitude of Charlie’s mom.
“It shows you never know what’s going to happen in this job moment to moment and I couldn’t be more proud,” said Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson.
“He should be praised for his quick reaction and keeping so cool and so calm,” said Charlie’s mom, Meredith Waters.
That doesn’t mean he kept that calm when he got home himself. When asked if he looked at his kids differently that night, Sgt. Rodriquez replied, “Oh yeah, hugged them tight.”
