A Marion County sheriff’s deputy is being recognized for his compassion and professionalism during a tragic incident last week.

On July 24, Deputy Billings responded to a call where a woman had found her husband unresponsive. When Marion County Fire Rescue arrived at the scene, they pronounced the man deceased.

According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, in the midst of the woman’s grief, Deputy Billings remained by her side, offering comfort through conversation and quiet support.

“He stayed with the wife, offering comfort through conversation and compassion,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “He distracted her with empathy, simply being present, until the funeral home arrived.”

The woman later called the sheriff’s office to thank Billings for the way he supported her on what she described as one of the worst days of her life.

“Thank you, Deputy Billings, for showing what it means to serve,” the agency says. “In the hardest moments, our deputies are there, not just in uniform, but to help.”

Photo Credit: Marion County Sheriff’s Office