It was late March, and Luis House was suffering his fourth heart attack. His wife was rushing him to the hospital, and Mr. House was laid back in the front seat with just minutes left before he would likely endure irreparable damage to his heart or worse. That's when the couple spotted three sheriff's deputies parked along the side of the road in Moncks Corner, South Carolina.   

Luckily, Sergeant Cody Graff, Deputy Jeremy Fogle, and Deputy Julian Czeiszperger were ready to help. Upon learning Mr. House's condition, they immediately called for an ambulance. After hearing EMS was 12 minutes away, the deputies decided to load Mr. House into a patrol car and transfer him to the nearest hospital, and those minutes made all the difference in the world. 

The deputies would later learn that doctors told Mr. House he might not have survived if the Deputies had not taken quick action.

"Mr. House said he was blessed that day, and I agree. I think we were all there for a reason that day; we were there for you [Mr. House]," said Sergeant Cody Graff on the pride and gratitude he feels for how the day's events transpired. "I'm glad with how everything turned out that day, and I'm glad you're here and healthy. It's an honor."

Because of their lifesaving actions, the American Red Cross of South Carolina was pleased to honor the three men with the Lifesaving Award for Extraordinary Personal Action – an award presented to an individual or team of individuals who saved or sustained a life. 

"This is an amazing thing these deputies did. It's a reflection of our profession. It's a reflection of everyone in this organization that puts the badge on and takes the oath," said Sheriff Duane Lewis on what the deputies' actions mean to his department. "Truly, we are here to help people; it's part of our DNA, I think. There's a lot of good folks that wear the uniform. I'm proud of all of you, and I'm thankful for what you were able to do."

Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills sessions), and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.

If you or someone you know has used skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain the life of another individual, visit LifesavingAwards.org to nominate, recognize, or be inspired.