A Deputy’s Hand in the Dirt: Helping a Boy Through His Darkest Hour

The pain was immediate and unbearable. His leg had taken the brunt of the fall, and though Mason couldn’t see it clearly, the injury was catastrophic. His femur—the strongest bone in the body—was shattered into more than 50 pieces. Blood pooled quickly, and the world around him blurred as fear and agony set in.

That’s when Deputy AJ Rees arrived.

He didn’t just stand over Mason or bark reassurances from a distance. Instead, he got down in the dirt, lying beside the boy. He took Mason’s hand firmly in his own and spoke calmly, guiding him through the pain, giving him something to focus on other than fear.

In that desperate moment, with sirens still minutes away, it was a simple act of presence that made all the difference. Mason never shed a tear. He held on, physically and emotionally, to the deputy by his side.

When medical crews arrived, Mason was rushed away, fighting to stay conscious. What followed was nothing short of a medical marathon. Over the course of four grueling surgeries, doctors pieced his shattered femur back together. They fought against blood loss, stabilized his body, and worked tirelessly to save his leg. Miraculously, they succeeded. Mason’s young body proved resilient, though the path ahead would not be easy. Continue reading…