Monitor Photo/Jody Vincik
During the Aug. 5 Henderson County Commissioners’ Court meeting, Sheriff Botie Hillhouse (second from right) recognized county jail detention staff and deputies, as well as the nursing staff stationed there, for their fast action in saving the life of an inmate who attempted suicide. Those recognized include Detention Officer Caleb Blain (from left), Detention Officer Emily Rodriguez, Detention Officer Marcus Rice, Deputy Landon Armstrong, Sgt. Maria McCarley, Deputy Cliff Arnold, Nurse Jackie Norris, Cpl. George Quigg, SHP Nurse Tiffany Moreno LVN, Deputy Taylor Caldwell, SHP Vice President Nursing Stephanie Self NP, SHP Regional Director Anita Taylor RN, SHP Nurse Breah Sessums LVN, SHP Medical Team Administrator Amanda Thurman LVN, Sheriff Hillhouse and Southern Health Partners Regional Sales Manager Tim Quintan.

ATHENS–Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says he has seen a lot of bad things in his career and was afraid that an attempted suicide by an inmate at the Henderson County Jail in late June would end like so many others. Until the nursing staff and detention staff at the jail stepped in, that is.
“I see a lot or tragedy, I’ve seen a lot of bad crime scenes,” Sheriff Hillhouse told the Henderson County Commissioners’ Court Aug. 5 during their weekly meeting. “And when I got this picture from nursing staff that was sent to me, of what they were dealing with, I didn’t think this individual was going to make it, just from this picture. Usually when somebody has that much blood loss, they don’t make it.”
The sheriff continued, “But with the concern and the caring individuals that we have at the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and at the Henderson County Jail, they responded, they did what they needed to do and (the inmate) is still with us to this day,” albeit at another jail on the same non-Henderson County charge, Hillhouse stated.
“And it’s really an honor to give these awards out because, you know, I’ve been doing this for 27 years now, and to be honest with you, not very many lifesaving awards are actually given out. Usually, a lot of times we get there too late, and a lot of times the outcome isn’t the one that we anticipate or want. But because of the work that these individuals did, we are actually able to give out these awards.”
Earlier, the sheriff said more about the June incident at the jail, which involved a deep laceration to the inmate’s arm. “In that moment, our correctional staff and nursing team didn’t hesitate,” Hillhouse said. “They moved quickly, decisively and with calm professionalism. Their swift response not only stabilized a critical situation—it saved a life.”
About the jail’s detention officers and deputies, Hillhouse said their “vigilance, training and steady presence at the front lines are the backbone of our operation. You are the eyes and ears of safety, and when seconds mattered, you responded not with panic but with purpose.”
The sheriff also addressed the jail’s nursing staff, saying “your steady hands, compassion and clinical precision turned urgency into care. You stabilized the injury, you treated the trauma, and you ensured that this individual received the chance to heal—not just physically, but perhaps emotionally as well.”
Hillhouse said the response wasn’t just medical, “It was a deeply human one. You saw a person in crisis and chose action over apathy. That’s the mark of true professionalism—and it deserves recognition.”
The sheriff also formally told the commissioners’ court that “we often speak of duty, or protocol, of policy. But today, we speak of courage, compassion and the kind of quiet heroism that doesn’t make headlines, but changes lives behind the scenes.
“Thank you for being the kind of people who make Henderson County proud. Thank you for being the kind of team we all aspire to serve beside.
“Let us continue to lead with heart, to act with strength and to never forget that every life—no matter the circumstances—is worth saving.”
Before wrapping up the recognition for photos, Hillhouse added one more comment: “Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I started back there in that jail, and that’s where I set the dreams to become the sheriff. And people like you are the reason that I do what I do.”
Added County Judge Wade McKinney, “We recognize the good work of these people in our operations.”