BATH – Steuben County Correction Officer Drey Simpson was commended Monday for saving a jail inmate’s life in March.
Simpson observed an unidentified inmate climbing the stairs to the second-tier housing unit and ordered the inmate to return to the first-floor unit, County Sheriff James Allard told the county Legislature’s Public Safety Committee.
When the inmate ignored Simpson’s command, Simpson then called the correct code via his portable radio and began to approach the inmate, continuing to give verbal commands to stop and return, Allard said.
Upon reaching the top of the stairs, the inmate proceeded to dive head-first off the top stair, according to the report.
Simpson, having reached that location, caught the inmate in mid-air, using his own body to stop the inmate’s collision with the floor.
Simpson suffered a minor injury to his wrist and shoulder and the inmate suffered bruising only, Allard said. Allard commended Simpson for his professionalism, leadership and service.
“Not only did you display quick and effective evaluation of a dynamic life and death situation, saving the inmate’s life while maintaining the safety and security of the jail staff and inmates,” Allard said. “Thank you for your professionalism, integrity, leadership and service.”
