Five Daviess County deputy jailers were recognized this week by the Kentucky Jailers Association for their response to a January fire at the Daviess County Detention Center, which helped prevent injuries and safely evacuate inmates from a smoke-filled housing unit.
Sergeant Nick Tierney and deputies Thomas Yarbrough, Tristyn Conner, Matt Sands, and Lane Dickens were named Deputy Jailers of the Year during the Kentucky Jailers Association Summer Conference in Owensboro.
The recognition stems from a Jan. 6 incident in which an inmate intentionally set a fire inside his cell while housed in a rule infraction unit at the detention center, according to Daviess County Jailer Art Maglinger. He said the inmate’s actions created an immediate danger for staff and inmates in the area.
“Smoke began to fill not only his cell, but also the entire housing unit in that area,” Maglinger said. “The deputies being recognized exemplified selfless and outstanding service during this incident.”
Tierney said the incident began when a fire alarm sounded.
“Fire alarms go off from time to time, but we always check every time it goes off,” Tierney said.
As staff approached the housing unit, Yarbrough spotted flames that Tierney estimated were about four feet high.
“My first initial reaction was to run,” Tierney said.
Tierney called a fire emergency, and staff immediately entered the area. Yarbrough initially attacked the blaze with a fire extinguisher before thick black smoke forced him to step back.
Tierney then took over that attempt to extinguish the fire while other deputies secured the inmate who started it and moved him to safety.
According to Maglinger, Conner was the first deputy to respond after observing the fire. He extracted the inmate from the cell and evacuated him from the area before returning to help remove other inmates from the housing unit.
Yarbrough retrieved a fire extinguisher, battled the fire, and then assisted with evacuations. Sands helped remove the inmate who started the fire and monitored him for potential medical issues after he was evacuated.
Dickens assisted with evacuating inmates from the housing unit, placing himself in harm’s way to help ensure everyone reached safety. Tierney coordinated the response, directed evacuations, ensured medical attention was provided, and remained on scene throughout the incident.
Tierney credited the team’s training and teamwork for the successful outcome.
“There wasn’t one person who was the hero of the day,” he said. “We all worked together.”
Tierney said deputies followed instructions without hesitation despite the dangerous conditions.
“They didn’t miss a beat,” he said. “They didn’t pause, they didn’t get scared, they didn’t stop.”
Maglinger said the group operated as a team under difficult circumstances.
“They operated as a cohesive team to extinguish the fire and ensure inmates were safely evacuated from that area,” Maglinger said. “Their response displayed courage and heroism when they placed themselves in harm’s way during adverse and dangerous circumstances.”
According to Maglinger, Conner and the inmate who started the fire received on-site medical treatment for smoke inhalation. No staff members or inmates suffered serious injuries.
The inmate was later charged with first-degree arson and multiple counts of wanton endangerment, according to Maglinger.
The five deputies previously received commendations and departmental awards for their actions, including Medals of Valor for those most directly involved in extinguishing the fire.
Tierney said the statewide recognition carries special significance because it came from fellow corrections professionals.
“All five of us got it as a group, and that’s 120 jailers that voted on it in the state of Kentucky,” he said. “That’s huge.”
The award also marks the second consecutive year a Daviess County deputy jailer has received the Kentucky Jailers Association’s Deputy Jailer of the Year recognition. Last year, Deputy Jailer Ismail was honored after helping rescue a truck driver involved in a crash.
For Tierney, the honor ultimately reflects the work of the entire team.
“I would be fine if I didn’t get any award and it went all to my people,” he said. “They stuck to their training. They did what they were supposed to do. They were a big part of what we did that day.”
Maglinger said the deputies’ actions likely prevented a much more serious outcome.
“Due to their prompt actions, lives were saved as a result,” he said. “Ultimately, no staff or inmates were injured in this critical incident.”
