Sgt. Bill Clifford and Deputy Jeremy Kousen have been awarded the Sheriff’s Medal of Honor by Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush, according to my news gathering partner, the Hamilton County Reporter.

On Jan. 28, Hamilton County Public Safety Communications received a report of an attempted suicide in the area of 156th Street and Prairie Baptist Road. Initial reports were that a female subject had cut her wrists and was losing consciousness.

Deputy Kousen and Sgt. Clifford, along with a Noblesville Police officer, responded to the call. The NPD officer and Deputy Kousen applied tourniquets to her arms, both of which had been cut and were bleeding profusely.

As the patient was losing consciousness, Sgt. Clifford applied direct pressure to the wound on her right arm. The actions of these three men allowed the medics to immediately administer fluids and other lifesaving measures instead of having to stop the bleeding first.

Without the fast response, use of issued equipment and proper training of Deputy Kousen and Sgt. Clifford, sheriff’s department officials say the likelihood of the woman’s survival would have been greatly decreased.

Each Hamilton County deputy is equipped with, and trained in, the use of tourniquets to assist in lifesaving efforts involving traumatic injuries with bleeding. Deputies are trained annually in First Aid and CPR as they are often the first on the scene of an injury or accident.

The Medal of Honor may be presented to members of the Sheriff’s Office who, through an extraordinary effort, attempt to or contribute to the saving of a human life. Additionally, when death of the victim seems imminent, the member’s actions significantly assist the lifesaving effort.