Sheriff’s Deputies off duty are still on duty.
An Alexandria deputy sheriff was vacationing in Virginia Beach when a car traveling ahead of her crashed and smoke began swirling above the car. Deputy Teneka King didn’t hesitate at the post midnight crash, to leap from her personal vehicle and run to the scene to rescue the driver and passenger. Deputy King, who couldn’t initially extricate the driver because of the seat belt, ran to the passenger side and after finally managing to release the seat belts, hurriedly dragged both driver and passenger from the car. As Deputy King dragged the occupants to safety, one who was unresponsive, the car exploded into flames.
On Nov. 4, Sheriff Dana Lawhorne recognized Deputy King’s heroic efforts “for the courage” she displayed in the life-saving effort. Sheriff Lawhorne said, “The decision to approach this smoking car while off duty and extricate both women … speaks volumes about your character and selflessness. The valor and courage you displayed that night undoubtedly saved the life of one, if not both occupants, as evidenced by the car exploding into flames about a minute after you removed them.” Her actions, Sheriff Lawhorne continued, “reflect the finest traditions of law enforcement and the Sheriff’s Office. We all salute and honor you.”
Deputy King, however, did not report the incident to her colleagues for several days. “I didn’t think I needed to do that,” she said. “I was glad to help.”
King, 26, has been a member of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office since Feb. 21, 2009 and resides in Woodbridge, VA.