Valor Awards Program - City of Alexandria

Deputy Sheriff
William T. Morgan
Lifesaving Award
Deputy Sheriff
Brian Mauck
Lifesaving Award
Deputy Sheriff
Joseph Runquist
Lifesaving Award
DEPUTY SHERIFF WILLIAM T. MORGAN
DEPUTY SHERIFF BRIAN MAUCK
DEPUTY SHERIFF JOSEPH RUNQUIST
On December 31, Deputy Joseph Runquist was
on duty at the Alexandria Detention Center. He
walked past an occupied cell on the medical ward
and noticed that the inmate inside was completely
covered with blankets. All Deputy Runquist could
see were the inmate’s hands, which appeared to
be reaching up out of the blankets and twisting
as if to tighten something. On further observation,
it appeared to him as though the inmate was
attempting suicide with a sheet tied to the bedframe.
Deputy Runquist summoned assistance from
Deputy Brian Mauck and Deputy William T. Morgan.
They entered the cell and approached the
bed. Deputy Mauck shouted the inmate’s name
several times, attempting to elicit a response.
None came. Deputy Mauck physically shook the
end of the bed, but still got no response.
Deputy Mauck pulled down the blankets that
were covering the figure. The inmate was attempting
to asphyxiate herself by tightening a
sheet around her neck. The deputies quickly
called additional assistance and removed the sheet
to increase breathing.
While assistance was on the way, Deputy Mauck
continued to talk to the distressed inmate, asking
her to squeeze the deputy’s hand to demonstrate
consciousness. The inmate’s eyes were rolled
back in her head, she was having difficulty breathing,
and her body was shaking.
When medical help arrived, the inmate’s condition
stabilized and she was put into a suicide
smock and monitored on full suicide precautions.
Due to the deputies’ quick actions her suicide
attempt was unsuccessful and she sustained no
lingering injury.