Franklin County Deputies Go Above and Beyond to Deliver Lifesaving Blood
Carilion leaders recognized the deputies and regional collaboration in a challenge coin ceremony
Quick action by local law enforcement ensured a lifesaving shipment of blood reached its destination after a courier was stranded with a flat tire.
On Aug. 23, Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Combs and Master Deputy Chris Ashley stopped to assist the stranded driver, a courier for The Blood Connection who was transporting an urgent STAT blood order to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, the region's only Level 1 trauma center.
STAT orders are reserved for specialized medical cases requiring precise lab matching. Any delay in transit can put a patient’s life at risk. Recognizing the urgency, Master Deputy Ashley transported the blood the rest of the way to Carilion Roanoke Memorial, delivering it without further delay.
“A unit of blood reaching a patient urgently means the difference between life and death in a patient’s prognosis,” said Elliott Kelley, a representative for The Blood Connection. “We kept our commitment due to the above-and-beyond actions of these deputies.”
Officials from Carilion Clinic, The Blood Connection, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office gathered in Rocky Mount on Oct. 6 to recognize the deputies for their swift response. The deputies received special honors, including challenge coins from Carilion leaders and Life Saving Service Awards, for going above and beyond the call of duty to protect local patient care.
“This is the first time we've done a challenge coin presentation with someone outside of Carilion, but when I saw the impact from your actions, I said, ‘We've got to recognize them.’” said Steve Arner, Carilion President and Chief Executive Officer. Highlighting the importance of regional collaboration, Arner added, “When lives are on the line, we can't skip a beat. This is why regional collaboration is so critical. We're grateful to have such great partners in the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and the Blood Connection.”
“Each and every day we don’t know what we’re going to be faced with in a critical situation, but most of the time it deals with life and death,” Franklin County Sheriff Bill Overton said. “These actions are outside the scope of what the normal job description is.”
