Two Cass County deputies were recognized Thursday for going above and beyond to save a man’s life.

Deputy Sam Harris and Deputy Dane Wilson were awarded life-saving pins and Cass County Challenge Coins at the Cass County Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday, in reference to an incident that took place on July 9 of this year.

Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies responded to an iPhone crash detection on Dutch Settlement, just east of M-62 in Dowagiac at 4:01 a.m. Upon arriving at the scene, they found a car with no occupants but could hear someone yelling “help” from nearby Mill Pond. 

The two deputies removed their equipment, entered the water and rescued the driver of the vehicle. 

“Without the actions of these two, the driver probably would have drowned in Mill Pond,” Sheriff Roach said. “They went above and beyond to do what they needed to do to save this man’s life. It’s an honor to have them work for me.”

Fellow employees of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office filling Commissioners Chambers to recognize Harris, Wilson, and two long-time employees of the Sheriff’s Office also recognized that night. Sheriff Roach presented both deputies with life-saving pins, and Commissioner Jim Lawrence awarded them Cass County Challenge Coins.