Sgt. James Coonce was dispatched to a suspicious vehicle call at the intersection of C.R. 131 and S.W. Forest Lawn Way. The vehicle was stopped at a stop sign for a long period of time, obstructing traffic. Sgt. Coonce approached the car and observed the female driver slumped over in the driver’s seat. Sgt. Coonce attempted to wake the driver but she was not responsive. Sgt. Coonce observed the driver was face and lips were turning purple and she did not appear to be breathing.

Sgt. Coonce acted quickly and broke out the passenger window of the car. He attempted to wake the driver up again but she was still unresponsive. Sgt. Coonce removed her from the car and immediately began CPR after determining that she did not have a pulse and was not breathing. Sgt. Coonce continued CPR until the Columbia County Fire Dept and EMS arrived. Amanda Elliot of High Springs, FL was transported to Lake Shore Hospital and was listed in stable condition.

Sheriff Hunter stated, “Sgt. Coonce relied on his training as a Deputy Sheriff and as a former Medic in the U.S. Army Reserves. If not for his quick actions, Ms. Elliot may not have survived this incident. By his actions, Sgt. Coonce has shown that our Deputy Sheriffs are not just there to make arrests, they are first responders and are committed to the service of our community.”