Deputies recognized for lifesaving efforts

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BAY MINETTE – One deputy who risked her life to save drowning swimmers in the Gulf and one who gave his in the effort were recognized Tuesday by the Baldwin County Commission.

Deputy William “Bill” Smith, who died in the rescue effort on June 6 at Fort Morgan, and Deputy Sydney Wentworth received Lifesaving Awards and were recognized with resolutions passed by the commission. Smith also posthumously received a Certificate of Valor that was presented to his widow, Samantha Smith.


Smith and Wentworth were members of the Sheriff’s Office Beach Patrol Unit. On June 6, they received a call that swimmers were in distress at Fort Morgan, Major Jimmy Milton said at the commission meeting.


“On arrival at the scene, both deputies quickly realized there were, in fact, multiple lives in danger,” Milton said. “Without hesitation, both entered the Gulf waters to assist these swimmers, putting their lives in harm’s way.”


According to reports at the time, two women were in distress in heavy waves in the Gulf. A teenage boy went into the water to try to help them and also was caught up in the surf. Milton said that without the deputies, some or all of the swimmers would have died.


“Deputy Wentworth and Deputy Smith entered the Gulf that day to save family members and that’s exactly what they did. There’s a proud tradition here in Baldwin County. No matter if you live here or if you visit here for a day or a week, while you’re here, you’re a citizen of this county. Which makes you family,” Milton said. “If it were not for their actions, the actions of Deputy Wentworth and Smith, multiple family members would have not made it that day.”


Major Steve Arthur said the deputies did not hesitate to go into the heavy surf when others watched from the beach.


“People saw what was going on in the Gulf and they called 911 and many people were standing on the beach that day pointing. ‘Somebody help them. Somebody rescue those people.’ But nobody entered the water except for Bill and Sydney and they did save lives that day,” Arthur said. “To me, being in law enforcement for almost 47 years, this man and that woman are true heroes and that’s not a word that I throw around very easily.”


He said the deputies are an example of the saying that first responders are those who rush toward disaster when others are running away. Arthur said Smith, 57, was a first responder for 42 years, after first becoming a volunteer firefighter at 15.


“Bill exemplifies what a first responder was and is, in his years in law enforcement and fire fighting and I’m proud to call him my friend,” Arthur said.


Commissioner Jeb Ball told deputies watching the presentation that Smith and Wentworth’s actions were typical of the department.


“You’re all heroes in my mind,” he told the deputies. “There’s not a day that I don’t drive on these roads or live in my house at night or sit up here at this dais and worry about my safety. Because you guys have our back. Just like you have each others’ backs. Just like you would have your own family’s backs. You would do the same thing for anybody else. And with that I commend you.”


Commissioner Joe Davis said the commission and county also supported the Sheriff’s Office and its officers.


“Every one of you know that we have your back and when we’re dealing with the things that are going on in society now, you keep yourself safe and recognize that for every bad guy, there’s a whole bunch of good guys that are there to help you,” Davis said.