UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. — In July, Jonathan Williams responded to a call for help and saved a man's life. Lacy Hester, the man's sister, said the Unicoi County Sheriff's Office deputy said he performed CPR for 44 minutes.
"He was actually dead when they got there, and he got him back," she said. "Most people would have given up before 44 minutes."
Now, the tables have turned and it's Williams who needs a second chance. Hurricane Helene swept through the area last week, causing devastating floods that destroyed everything he owned.
"He told me that his things, his daughter's things, his house, his patrol cruiser—everything had washed down the river," Hester said.
Moved by his story, Hester knew she had to act. Unable to physically help, she decided to set up a GoFundMe fundraiser for the man who had given her brother's life.
"We were talking, we didn't know how to help," she said. "We can't physically be there right now. So, what can we do? And we thought, how about a GoFundMe?"
Launched with a goal of $2,000, the fundraiser has already surpassed that target as the community rallied around Williams and his family.
"He's so humble and appreciative of everything," Hester said. "He tells me, 'I can't thank you enough. I could say it a million times, and it still wouldn't be enough.' But Jonathan saved a life for us, so it's not even about owing him."
Anyone interested in donating to Williams and his family can find the GoFundMe fundraiser here.