“We’re just doing our job and luckily the training that we have it paid off,” Wendy Diericks says.

It’s training that helped them save a life. Staff members from the Macon County Jail were recognized today for taking lifesaving measures when one of their inmates was found unresponsive. They were given the lifesaver award at the county board meeting. This is only the second time Sheriff Tony Brown has given it out.

Those involved say other inmates alerted them when a woman was found unresponsive. Five correctional officers and a nurse jumped into action. They were honored for their heroic actions, but they feel it’s just apart of the job.

“In the moment we just did what we had to. We’ve trained for it. We were very prepared,” Careth Jacoby explains.

Careth Jacoby is one of the six employees who responded when they heard a woman in their care was unconscious. After working as a team to perform CPR and using an AED, they were able to revive her. That’s because the staff at the Macon County Jail practice for situations like this.


“Training. That instinctively took over,” Sheriff Tony Brown says.

Correctional Officer Wendy Diericks also responded. In her six years with the jail, she never thought she would have to use her skills.

“Hopefully no but the training just kicked in and everyone did exactly what they should have done when they should have done it,” Wendy Diericks explains.

Sheriff Brown recognized his workers as heroes. He presented them with the lifesaver award. It’s a way to recognize those who perform selfless, lifesaving acts. Brown wants to spotlight just how hard his staff works.


“Often times people do not see as far as what correctional officers do because they’re insane they’re not out in the public like deputies with sworn officers are,” Brown says.

Jacoby says there’s no way they could have done it alone.

“I think the recognition really speaks volumes for how we work as a team. I personally couldn’t have done it without the correctional officers,” she says.


Sherrif Brown says, “many times you hear about the negative things or what have you. And I would just like to let them know that we’re proud.”


Three of the 6 employees were at the county board meeting tonight. After sheriff brown explained their actions they received a standing ovation. The event happened in May, the inmate they rescued spent some time in the hospital but they say she is O.K.