NEWBERRY COUNTY — The quick reaction by a Newberry County deputy sheriff and advanced law enforcement equipment and training are being credited with saving a boater’s life on July 22 in Newberry County.

At about 7:30 p.m. July 22, the Newberry County 911 center received a call about a boating accident on Lake Murray.

Lt. Michael Claytor, a seven-year law enforcement veteran of the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office assigned as a shift supervisor in the patrol division, was in the area and told dispatch to tell the boater to pull up to the boat ramp so they could easily board the board.

Claytor arrived in four minutes of receiving the call. Once he boarded the boat, Claytor found a man who had a large laceration and major bleeding from the knee to his foot. Claytor removed a tourniquet from his belt and applied it to the man’s leg above the knee and stopped the bleeding.

Rescue Squad and EMS members arrived and the man was flown by helicopter for medical treatment.

The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office purchased tourniquets for every officer and conducted mandatory training on the proper use of the tourniquet for every deputy about two years ago. Sheriff Lee Foster said uniformed deputies are required to wear the tourniquet as part of their duty belt equipment.

“While this is the first time that a tourniquet was deployed and proved lifesaving, we are convinced that this tool will continue to prove itself invaluable for law enforcement and citizens throughout Newberry County,” said Foster.

Foster said medical personnel said Claytor saved the man’ s life by stopping the bleeding until he could get medical treatment.

Foster said emerging trends in law enforcement have shown that law enforcement use of tourniquets had the potential to save lives for both law enforcement and civilians. The tourniquets were first used by the military and then by SWAT teams, but Foster said he knew he wanted to all deputies in Newberry County to have them.

While the original intent is for the deputy to use the tourniquet personally if they are shot, it can have a use for other officers or civilians in the proper circumstances.

Staff Report