GSA Honoring SCSO Deputies

The Georgia Sheriffs’ Association is honoring two deputies from the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office today.

Deputies Bruce Cleveland and Connie Morris have been chosen as recipients of the Medal of Valor from the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said that the two are being recognized for their efforts at the scene of a multiple-vehicle accident on May 12 on Georgia Highway 106, near its intersection with Law House Road.

Shirley said Deputies Cleveland and Morris arrived to what was a very severe accident scene.

“One of the trucks was already engulfed in flames,” said Shirley. “The flames from that vehicle were spreading to another vehicle with a woman and small child in it.”

The sheriff said that the woman, 32-year-old Candice Sanders Huot of Toccoa, was trapped inside her vehicle by the steering wheel.

He said that is when the deputies and others sprang into action.

“Sgt. Cleveland and another man literally broke the steering wheel,” said Shirley. “Sgt. Cleveland and Corporal Connie Morris were able to pull her through the window of the car.”

The deputies were also able to pull a small child in the car to safety as well.

Afterwards, Shirley said they submitted Deputies Cleveland and Morris to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association for consideration for the Medal of Valor and members of the GSA chose them, along with deputies from two other counties for the recognition.

The sheriff said it is quite an honor for Deputies Cleveland and Morris to be recognized in this way.

“I am so very proud of both of them,” said Shirley.

Deputies Cleveland and Morris are receiving their awards tonight at the annual Georgia Sheriffs’ Association Sheriffs’ Summer Conference Banquet at Jekyll Island.