Boller, Nally bestowed lifesaving awards for recent water rescue

Deputy Josh Boller and Capt. Doug Nally (center) are presented lifesaving awards Monday by Putnam County Sheriff’s Merit Board members Tony Detro and Nancy Michael (left) and Board President Mike Dean for their actions in a water rescue on March 3.

Courtesy Putnam County Sheriff’s Office

Putnam County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Boller and Capt. Doug Nally were honored Monday with lifesaving awards for their actions in a recent water rescue in Jefferson Township.

On March 3, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched for a vehicle that had been swept by swift water at a driveway crossing the Sallust Branch near Stilesville. The flooding was due to heavy rainfall that moved through the area.

Jefferson Township Fire Chief Rick Cooper arrived on the scene with Boller and Nally coming soon after him. The vehicle was found partially submerged downstream from the driveway, with the water covering the dash and front seats. Two occupants were found in the vehicle’s rear seat, while the driver’s door was against a tree and the passenger’s door was against the swift water.

Boller put on a life jacket and secured himself with a water rescue rope provided by Cooper, and was then guided into the water by Nally. Boller swam over to the vehicle, got himself between it and the tree and broke out the rear window on the driver’s side. Meanwhile, Nally maintained control of the rope in water up to his waist.

Boller first pulled the female occupant through the broken window, after which she held onto the rope and made it over to the bank. Boller then freed the male occupant, who was then able to make it over as well. Both were assisted out of the water by Nally, Jefferson Township Asst. Chief Buddy Tincher and Jefferson Township firefighter Charles Tincher. They were then transported by Putnam County EMS.

“Had it not been for your courage and ability to quickly resolve this life-threatening incident, these two individuals would have not survived,” Sgt. Riley Houghton stated in a letter of commendation. “Your decisive actions and complete disregard for your own safety reflected a positive image of yourself, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and saved two human lives.”

“They are truly the definition of heroes in my eyes,” Cooper said for his part. “This was a very urgent and dangerous rescue given the poor conditions.”