For Putnam County Sheriff deputies Josh Deal and Cpl. Scott Ducker, serve and protect is more than just words as the two literally live it day in and day out.

That was evidenced by the fact the two recently received the Putnam County Sheriff's Merit Board's Life Saving Award for their heroic actions earlier this month. 

Deputy Deal received the distinction for his actions on a call from May 2, as he arrived on the scene of an incident where a woman had a severe cut on the wrist with serious bleeding. Deal placed a tourniquet on the victim's arm prior to her being life lined from the incident. 

According to Putnam County EMS Deputy Director Anthony Taylor, Deal's actions potentially saved the victim's life. 

He also received strong words from Sgt. Anthony Brown of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department. 

"Deputy Deal's quick thinking, while arriving to a very chaotic scene, saw the need to apply a tourniquet to the subject's arm. Deputy Deal placed the tourniquet above the bicep and was able to control the bleeding to the injured area, saving the subject's life," Brown said. 

Four days later, Ducker responded to a possible overdose in Cloverdale. 

Upon arrival to the scene, Ducker administered a dose of Narcan in the nostrils of the victim, who became combative as she came out of her overdose and was arrested by Ducker. 

Brown also spoke highly of Ducker's actions. 

"Corporal Ducker responded quickly arriving at the residence within eight minutes of being dispatched. Corporal Ducker proceeded up to the patient and acted quickly, administering one dose of Narcan. Corporal Ducker radioed dispatch and advised the patient was coming around. Due to Corporal Ducker's quick actions on arriving and administering Narcan, I believe he played a key role in saving the patient's life. It is my recommendation, that Corporal Scott Ducker be recognized for a Life Saving Award," Brown said. 

Putnam County Sheriff Jerrod Baugh said deputies have a "responsibility to perform their job at a high level of excellence."

"During these work related events, some people will be arrested, some will be helped and on rare occasions like these, people will be saved," Baugh said, thanking his deputies for their actions.