Heroism in its purest, most authentic form is frequently terrible and extremely hazardous, and it is usually selfless to the point of unbelievability.
On Tuesday night, North Mississippi witnessed heroism that defies traditional notions of human courage.
That hero last night was Sgt. Brian Brock, a 35-year-old DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department sergeant who responded to a complaint about a car driving the wrong way along Interstate 269. According to Sheriff Thomas Tuggle, he was ahead of the automobile while other deputies pursued it but were unable to capture it from behind.
Tuggle received a call from his chief deputy: there had been a serious accident in which a deputy was involved.
“I didn’t have many details,” Tuggle explained. “I didn’t know what had happened until I got to the hospital.”
Reports came in left and right that the vehicle was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane and was moving quickly. Brock, aware that the car was approaching, positioned himself on the shoulder of the road, directly in the path of the oncoming vehicle.
When Tuggle spotted the lights approaching from the wrong way, he made a decision that almost definitely should have been his last.
“He tugged on his seatbelt twice and said, ‘This is it for me, but I’m going to do it.'” Tuggle spoke. Then Brock steered his vehicle into the path of the approaching car.
“He took the impact head-on, and he saved the man behind him, who was a doctor,” a sheriff said. “To speak with that doctor, he had no words. He answered, “That was an angel.” My life flashed before me, and I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I noticed the deputy car.’
“To him, Brock is an angel,” Tuggle added. “The hardest choices require the strongest will, and that’s exactly what our deputy did last night.”
Brock, a husband and father of three children under the age of 13, is currently recovering from injuries incurred in the crash that should have killed him, and Tuggle believes his survival was solely due to divine intervention.
“The other driver was driving at that speed, and Brock decided that it’s either me or this person I don’t know,” Tuggle observed. “He said, ‘It’s going to be me.'” God jumped in to protect him. And looking at the truck, it’s a marvel he’s still alive.”
Tuggle sent a specific message to those who criticize law enforcement.
I want those who criticize or mock us to understand that upholding the law is just protecting the public. No matter your opinion of us, we will risk our lives for you, he continued. “You may want to throw up one finger and make fun of us, but this is something that’s instilled in men and women who wear the badge.”
Toxicology has not yet confirmed reports that the other driver was drunk, according to Tuggle. The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
