They chose to help with situational awareness
What would you do if the person guarding you suddenly needed your help?
On June 23, 2016, an extraordinary incident took place at the District Courts Building holding facility in Parker County, Texas.
Eight handcuffed prisoners were inside a holding room when they noticed that a corrections officer outside their cell had suddenly collapsed. The guard appeared to be suffering from a serious cardiac emergency and was lying unconscious.
The inmates began shouting and banging on the cell door, trying to get the attention of other officers. When no one responded, they managed to force the door open and reached the fallen guard.
The situation was risky. The officer was carrying keys and a sidearm, and the prisoners knew that responding deputies might not immediately understand what was happening.
Instead of trying to escape, the inmates surrounded the fallen officer and worked to get attention from the deputies upstairs. Their actions created enough noise for other officers to rush downstairs.
Deputies then began CPR and used a defibrillator while waiting for paramedics. The guard’s pulse was restored, and officials credited the inmates’ quick actions with helping save his life.
The entire incident was captured on security cameras and later became widely known as an extraordinary example of compassion in an unexpected place.
Sometimes, a difficult situation can reveal the most human side of people. These eight inmates chose to help when someone needed them most.