Greenville Deputy Receives Medal Of Valor

Greenville County Sheriff's Deputy Rob Curtis was recognized Monday with a Medal of Valor.

While working a side job at Cedar Falls County Park in Fountain Inn, Curtis found two people struggling to stay afloat in a known flood area in the park.

"I had gone down to that area to check the levels of the waters and I saw a gentleman who was having trouble swimming," Curtis said. "His girlfriend came out to help him and he grabbed on to her for help and he took her under with him. After a struggle, they both started screaming for help."

Curtis said that he took off his duty belt and was able to get in the water and pull the two to a sand bar and call for 911. 

Curtis said that he was able to swim the man to shore, so that EMS could assist the man who was still coughing up water. 

Curtis said that he hasn't heard from the man since the rescue, but he said he and his girlfriend both thanked him repeatedly on the shores of the river that day.

This is the third Medal of Valor Curtis has received since joining the Sheriff's Office 15 years ago.

"I was just doing my job," Curtis said. "It's humbling, but I don't think I did anything the men and women of this department wouldn't do in my position."