Cindy Putnam, an off-duty nurse, is being honored with the Citizens Medal for her efforts to assist a Pima County deputy last year after he was injured in a motorcycle accident.
On December 12, 2013, Pima County deputy Jorge Rodriguez was riding his personal motorcycle on Speedway Blvd. near Rook Ave., when an elderly motorist collided into him while attempting a U-turn. Deputy Rodriguez sustained extensive leg injuries as a result.
Deputy Rodriguez was attempting to administer first aid for his leg, when he was approached by Ms. Cindy Putnam, an off-duty nurse, who immediately rendered aid. She used the belt from another bystander as a tourniquet and placed it on Deputy Rodriguez’s leg. Cindy stayed with Deputy Rodriguez and provided care until paramedics arrived on scene.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, given the extent of Deputy Rodriguez’s injury, the outcome could have been far more tragic if it was not for the quick actions by Putnam and the other bystanders.
Putnam told Pima County Facebook friends who offered her words of gratitude, “I was just one of the tools God used to save this great man!”