Paulding Deputies Honored For Heroic Efforts

DALLAS-HIRAM, GA — Five deputies were recently recognized for their efforts in helping four residents during unrelated incidents, including rescuing an older couple from a burning vehicle.

The Paulding County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday deputies Cory Mitchell, Rodney White, Kyle Newton, Matthew Nelson and Shayla Benson were all recognized on Aug. 23.

Mitchell, White and Newton were honored with Life Saving Awards while Nelson and Benson received letters of commendation from Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge.

- Authorities said Mitchell responded on May 27 to a shooting that caused a man to suffer from multiple gunshot wounds.

Mitchell held pressure on the wounds, which authorities said helped lessen blood loss. Nelson and Benson assisted Mitchell: getting first aid supplies, assessing injuries and keeping the scene secure, authorities said.

Authorities did not say what led to the shooting or identify any suspects. Patch is working to learn more information.

- Newton was driving to work on June 16 on U.S. 278, where he was nearly hit head-on by a wrong-way driver, authorities said.

"Although Deputy Newton narrowly avoided near death, the vehicle traveling behind him was not so lucky," authorities said in a news release.

A vehicle driven by an older couple was hit head-on, and the couple was severely injured, authorities said.

"Although he was shaken by the near collision, Deputy Newton sprang into action and jumped out of his patrol car to assist the elderly couple by removing them from their burning vehicle," authorities said. "The family of the couple are forever grateful to Deputy Newton for getting the couple out of the vehicle, ultimately saving the male and allowing the female to live 12 more days after the accident."

- White responded on Aug. 4 to a medical call at Silver Comet Trail, near the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce, where he saw an older bicyclist having a medical emergency on the ground. Authorities did not detail the nature of the emergency.

Authorities said White noticed the man was non-responsive and barely breathing. Once the man's breathing stopped, White performed CPR until emergency medical personnel arrived on scene.

“I am extremely proud of what these deputies have done to save and/or prolong the lives of so many people," Gulledge said in the release. "Without them, many people would have lost loved ones. I cannot thank them enough for what they have done above and beyond the call of duty.”

The sheriff's office told Patch the man survived the incident.