Dr. Sim Palagummi and Deputy Kent Gries. Photos courtesy of Gries.

Over the Father’s Day weekend, a Guthrie County Sheriff’s Deputy shared two stories of heroic acts done by fathers, local citizens, and emergency agencies to the public on social media.

Deputy Kent Gries posted on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page Sunday about a medical emergency that occurred at Lake Panorama and a weather-caused incident that occurred during the BACooN Ride near Yale Saturday, and the kindness of strangers helping those in need.

Gries had responded to both incidents and says he was partly inspired to share about these events after a PSA video he had posted Saturday morning about bicyclists not stopping at marked intersections gained negative attention from people of all backgrounds, “I just thought what a better way to turn the narrative with regards to negativity on Facebook and to actually post something very positive that took place, that people could see our office and citizens doing (their best) to help the public and they could take that and see the positivity in the world as opposed to the negativity.”

Gries adds that he supports the BACooN Ride and says it’s a great way to promote the trail system in Guthrie County. He thanks the Lake Panorama Security, Panora Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services, Coulter Marine employees, the unidentified off-duty doctor who rendered aid, and Iowa State University Athletic Director Jamie Pollard and his two sons who assisted the injured female at Lake Panorama. He also commends Dr. Sim Palagummi, a bicyclist who stopped and gave critical aid to two others who were injured by a fallen tree during the BACooN ride. To read more about these acts of kindness, visit here.