Gwinnett Deputy Consoles Daughter Of Man He Tried To Save

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA -- Deputy D. Bragg was off duty and traveling down a rural road in Jackson County last July when he drove by a fire in a ditch. He turned around and drove back to ensure the fire was being safely monitored and upon his second approach, he realized the fire was actually an overturned riding mower with its driver engulfed in flames.

Deputy Bragg, also a combat military veteran, stopped to assist the elderly victim and alerted nearby neighbors for assistance. Despite their best efforts, Sammy Phillips did not survive his injuries.

Phillips’ daughter reached out to the Sheriff's Office recently hoping to thank Bragg in person and he honored her request by visiting her. As you can imagine, it was an emotional meeting.

Connie Black Phillips was her father’s only daughter and she was the apple of her daddy’s eye. She is still grieving the loss of her beloved father, which makes her thoughtful gesture even more meaningful.

"It’s easy to thank a hero when the story has a happy ending, but it’s much more difficult to do so when it doesn’t," reads a post on the Sheriff's Facebook page. "It’s also humbling to know your act of bravery is appreciated by someone whose grief did not overshadow their gratitude.

"Ms. Connie has not forgotten that Deputy Bragg risked his own life to come to her father’s aid that fateful day," continues the post. "She was happy to thank him in person, and he was kind to answer any questions she had about the day she lost her father.

"We hope it’s provided her some measure of peace. Please keep the Phillips family in your thoughts and prayers," concludes the post.