'We saw his chest rise:' Jefferson Forest staff jump into action to save custodian's life

BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — Big honors on Tuesday for some lifesavers at Jefferson Forest High School.

Four staff members jumped into action earlier this month when they saw school custodian, Thomas Garrison, collapse.

The following is a transcription of the 911 call from March 16 shortly after Garrison collapsed in his office:

"Adult male, Jefferson Forest High School. Can you go ahead and get rescue in route? Unconscious male...is he breathing?...No aspiration. CPR in progress at Jefferson Forest High School."

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Another custodian made the call, while three school employees jumped into action.

Virginia Davis initiated CPR. Brian Miller, a lead teacher, continued with chest compressions, and Kelly Thomas, the supervisor of health services for Bedford Co. Public Schools, brought out the defibrillator.

"And we saw his chest rise, and I said 'that's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen,'" Thomas said.

"They were praying while we were performing CPR, so God was all over this," Miller said.

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"It doesn't always end up being successful and many times it's difficult to regain a pulse and respirations on scene and we did it," Davis said.

According to Davis, Garrison was released from the hospital two days later.

That other custodian, Steve Everett, was also honored but couldn't make the ceremony.