HOMETOWN HERO: Off-Duty Firefighter Rescued Trapped Woman; Turns Out She Was Sheriff’s Mother-In-Law
An off-duty firefighter of Columbus Fire & EMS was out with his family when he spotted two women in distress, with one of them trapped under a large object. Taking the initiative, Columbus Firefighter Eddie Ramirez was able to rescue the trapped woman, who turned out to be the mother of Sheriff Greg Countryman’s wife. Explore the full story for the details and see how Ramirez’s heroic actions earned him a medal and commendation from the MCSO.
An artistic expression of Columbus Fire & EMS Firefighter Eddie Ramirez holding his recently-awarded Medal of Meritorious Conduct from the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office. While off-duty, Ramirez stopped to rescue a woman trapped by a heavy object on the side of the road. The woman turned out to be the mother-in-law of Sheriff Greg Countryman.
Image Credit:
Muscogee Muckraker

COLUMBUS, Ga. — An off-duty firefighter of Columbus Fire & EMS was awarded a medal and commendation from the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, May 26.

While out with his family on a drive on May 19, Ramirez was flagged down by a panicked woman on the side of the road near Prospect AME Church off Ga. Hwy. 219 in Harris County. Though he did not have to stop, Ramirez chose to anyway.

The woman who flagged down Ramirez explained that her mother was placing flowers on a grave when a large headstone fell down and trapped her by the leg. The woman was not able to lift the heavy stone and her mother remained pinned to the ground underneath its weight.

Ramirez immediately jumped into action and ran to the scene to help rescue the trapped woman.

Thankfully, Ramirez was able to lift the cumbersome headstone by himself and free the elderly woman. Ramirez then began examining the leg and foot of the 87-year-old woman, searching for any injuries she may have sustained.

As it turned out, the woman who flagged Ramirez down on the side of the road was none other than the wife of Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. The trapped woman Ramirez was thankfully able to rescue was her mother.

By a sheer stroke of coincidence, Ramirez had saved Sheriff Countryman’s mother-in-law, simply because he had the right integrity, in the right place, at the right time.

COMMENDATIONS RECEIVED

In a ceremony accompanied by Sheriff Greg Countryman and Columbus Fire Chief Salvatore J. Scarpa, Firefighter Eddie Ramirez was awarded the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office Medal of Meritorious Conduct and an accompanying Letter of Commendation on Friday, May 26, 2023.

Columbus Fire & EMS Firefighter Eddie Ramirez holding his recently-awarded Medal of Meritorious Conduct from the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office. While off-duty, Ramirez stopped to rescue a woman trapped by a heavy object on the side of the road. The woman turned out to be the mother-in-law of Sheriff Greg Countryman. From left to right: Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman; Columbus Firefighter Eddie Ramirez; Columbus Fire Chief Salvatore J. Scarpa.

According to a post made by Sheriff Countryman himself on the afternoon of May 26, Ramirez’s Letter of Commendation reads as follows:

Citizens of Muscogee County, let it be known, on May 19, 2023, Firefighter Eddie Ramirez was flagged down by my wife, who was in distress at Prospect AME Church off 219 in Harris County. My wife and her mother were both placing flowers on a grave when suddenly the headstone fell on my wife’s mother’s leg. The headstone pinned Ms. Hudson on the ground, therefore, not allowing her to move due to the weight of the headstone. My wife called me, with panic in her voice, after her efforts failed to lift the headstone off her mother’s leg.

I immediately notified the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office dispatch to call Harris County Sheriff’s Office to head their way.  My wife started towards the street in front of the graveyard to seek help. She was able to flag down off-duty firefighter Eddie Ramirez. He was accompanied by his family. He could have kept going. However, his commitment to public service triggered him to stop and listen to my wife’s plea for help. He immediately ran to the scene and lifted the headstone off of my wife's mother’s leg. Firefighter Ramirez immediately examined the leg and foot of 87-year-old Ms. Hudson for injuries. 

Firefighter Ramirez, you did not run away from trouble, you ran towards trouble. My mother-in-law and wife both refer to you as an angel sent from heaven. Thank you for being a “Good Samaritan.” There are many like you who provide service with excellence daily yet, their efforts go unnoticed. My family appreciates you. We are grateful for your service.

I pray this Letter of Commendation and the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office Medal of Meritorious Conduct will let you know how grateful we are for you lending your love, care, and support during a very difficult time in the lives of others.

THE BOTTOM LINE

We at the Muckraker would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to Firefighter Eddie Ramirez for his exceptional display of integrity and selfless service on May 19, 2023. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of community service and serve as an example for us all to follow.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to every first responder in our city, as they all stand ready to exhibit the same exceptional integrity and selfless service each and every day. Our city thanks you all.

Job well done, Ramirez!

Facts are stubborn things — and we’ll keep publishing them, whether city officials like them or not.

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