Deputies do not just enforce laws, but help protect individuals. This was one full display yesterday as Deputy B.E. Vaughn assisted a citizen going through a mental health crisis.

On January 16th at approximately 4:05 p.m. deputies received a welfare check. The caller was concerned about their friend, for they had made suicidal statements on social media. Deputy Vaughn, along with additional deputies, responded to the individual’s residence in an attempt to make contact with them. Unfortunately, they were not home.

Deputy Vaughn was able to obtain the individual’s phone number and called to converse with them. The individual made statements of helplessness as they advised they were far from Stafford. Despite this, Deputy Vaughn stayed on the line with them in an attempt to help. Over the approximately 40-minute-long phone conversation, Deputy Vaughn was able to calm the individual down and convince them to seek a mental health evaluation. Shortly after, Deputy Vaughn received word from both the individual, and a local hospital, that they were safe and seeking professional guidance.

Outstanding work to not only Deputy Vaughn, but the concerned party for potentially saving this individual’s life. For anyone going through a mental health crisis, help is out there. Not only nationwide, but here in Stafford County. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office has a list of mental health resources listed on our Shield website at https://staffordshield.com/resources/ or you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.