Inmates quick actions help save a life at Kefauver Park

Sheriff Tommy Jones

Quick actions by two inmates helped save a life at Kefauver Park on April 14, 2026.

Sheriff Tommy Jones shares two inmates assigned to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office work release program, Brian Fernandez and Anthony Blackwell, were working at Kefauver Park in Madisonville when a routine workday quickly turned into a life-threatening emergency.

He says while performing maintenance duties around the pond, Brian and Anthony observed a city employee running into the water towards an overturned mower with another city employee trapped beneath it.

Both men ran toward the scene with a bystander and the individuals all worked together to free the trapped city employee.

Anthony grabbed the employee and pulled him to the embankment where Brian helped lift him out of the pond and onto dry ground.

They say the victim was not breathing and had no pulse.

A city employee immediately began CPR, continuing lifesaving measures until EMS arrived. During that time, the group performed CPR and attempted to clear water from the victims airway and stomach.

By the time EMS arrived, the victim had regained consciousness, was breathing, and was able to communicate.

He was transported to the hospital for further treatment and observation.

Jones says following the incident, Brian and Anthony remained on scene, continuing to assist-including helping recover the mower from the pond-and stayed on duty until the end of their shift.