Two Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputies have received a Medal of Valor for their actions that potentially saved the life of an area woman. On January 8th, Sergeant Briley Rivers and Lieutenant Brian Ferguson responded to a rural Ottawa address for a suicidal subject. Upon arrival, they found a woman sitting on the floor with the barrel of a rifle pointed at her head and the stock propped on a table for support. Rivers spoke with the woman extensively, attempting to end the incident peacefully. During the conversation, Rivers could see the subject moving her hand from the trigger of the gun to her cell phone often. He believed that when she moved her hand, he would have time to rush in and disarm her. Rivers and Ferguson communicated about the plan and Rivers counted down using hand motions that only Ferguson could see. The two officers rushed into the room, allowing Sergeant Rivers the ability to move the gun away from the subject enough for Lieutenant Ferguson to remove it from the situation.
This brave team effort ended a very dangerous and life threatening situation effectively and saved the life of another. Sheriff Jeff Richards says that Rivers and Ferguson’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of law enforcement and reflect great credit to themselves and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Congratulations and thank you both for your brave and heroic acts, not just for risking your life daily, but for also stepping up to save lives as well. If you see any law enforcement officers today, especially Briley and Brian, give them a big thank you for being there for not only this woman, but for all of us, every day!
