Amherst County sheriff honors four deputies for quick actions that saved 3 lives

Amherst County sheriff honors four deputies for quick actions that saved 3 lives

AMHERST COUNTY, VA. (WSET) — In emergencies, seconds can mean the difference between life and death. That reality was on display as the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office honored four deputies whose quick actions helped save three people.

Sheriff Jimmy Ayers recognized the deputies during a ceremony on Wednesday by giving them life-saving medals.

“Their eyes see, and their hands touch what humans should never have to do in a lifetime,” Ayers said.

Deputies Matthew Minnick and Hayden Shelbe were honored for saving a motorcyclist after a serious crash last August.

Deputy Chase Lawhorne was recognized for rushing to help after a man was shot in January.

The fourth deputy honored, Sergeant Brian Anderson, was credited with saving 12-year-old Liam Foster after a frightening accident in June.

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Liam accidentally pushed through a glass door at his home and suffered severe lacerations on his arm, according to his mother, Cassie Foster. Foster said she was overwhelmed by the amount of blood.

Sergeant Anderson was taking his lunch break at his home nearby when the call came in.

“I literally walked in the door, then out the door back out to my car and streamed up the street,” Anderson said.

Cassie Foster said Anderson immediately began treating her son when he arrived.

“He came in, and he immediately grabbed his first aid kit. He looked at the situation and immediately put the tourniquet on him, and that really made a difference. The bleeding slowed down. And I was just so thankful,” she said.

Cassie Foster said doctors told her Anderson’s actions saved Liam’s life, warning that if the tourniquet had not been applied correctly, Liam could have been in a life-threatening position due to blood loss.

“My family remains whole because of his actions,” Foster said.

After major surgery, Liam’s arm now has scars to tell the story.

Anderson said deputies in the rural county often arrive before EMS, making medical training critical.

“Keeping up on those medical skills because you never know when you’re going to need it, like two minutes from your house,” he said.