It was a routine transfer inside the courthouse — an armed officer leading a handcuffed prisoner down the hallway. But in an instant, the scene turned into something no one expected.
Security footage shows the officer suddenly staggering before collapsing to the floor. Gasps echoed through the hallway as court staff rushed toward them. But all eyes were on the prisoner.
Instead of making a run for it, the inmate knelt beside the fallen officer, checking to see if they were breathing. He shouted for help, shifted the officer into the recovery position, and stayed there until paramedics arrived — all while still in cuffs.
“You could tell he didn’t even think about escaping,” said one court worker who witnessed the moment. “He just reacted like a human being trying to save someone’s life.”
The officer was later transported to the hospital and is expected to recover. Officials say they are reviewing the inmate’s actions and may consider it during his sentencing.
The video has since gone viral, with people praising the prisoner’s surprising act of compassion — proof, some say, that not every story behind bars is black and white.