Two Rutherford County Sheriff's deputies were recognized as heroes by the Murfreesboro Chapter of the NAACP during their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Breakfast Saturday at MTSU.

Patrol Deputy Chris Beach saved a 6-year-old unresponsive girl and Detention Lt. Phillip Davis saved an inmate during a medical emergency.

They were among several law enforcement officers who received the Jerry Anderson Hero Award. The award is named after former NFL football player Jerry Anderson, who lost his life while saving two Murfreesboro children from drowning in 1989.

Beach responded to a call of parents whose daughter showed no signs of life March 16 at their Rutherford County home.

He started CPR but recognized her airway was blocked. He gave the girl rescue breaths that slightly opened up her airway, and she showed signs of life.

Beach took quick action to help save the girls' life before medical first responders and paramedics arrived and transported her to St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital.

Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh said Deputy Beach's response saved the girl's life.

Lt. Davis responded to a call in the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center of a medical emergency involving an inmate Jan. 15, 2018.

He performed chest compressions on the inmate allowing the inmate to regain consciousness.

Due to Lt. Davis' quick response and identification of a medical emergency, he prevented a loss of life.

Fitzhugh said Beach and Davis responded immediately to saving the lives of the girl and inmate. 

"Our employees make the Sheriff's Office, especially in life-saving moments," Fitzhugh said. "What you do every day, I applaud you."

Photo: Patrol Deputy Chris Beach and Detention Lt. Phillip Davis, who saved two lives, earned 2019 Jerry Anderson Hero Awards Saturday from the Murfreesboro Chapter of the NAACP. Reading information about the award is Violet Cox-Wingo of the NAACP Executive Committee. From left are Executive Committee member Carolyn Cox, Deputy Beach, Lt. Davis and NAACP Branch President Katie Wilson.