Heroes definately are not just found in comic books. They are all around us and a special one was recognized last night.

Cumberland County Deputy Kobe Cox was presented the Deputy of the Year award for saving the life of a 1-year-old boy.

Cox answered a call on Potato Farm Road May 1, 2021 after Samuel Neal accidentally fell into a koi pond on the family residence property.

“It happened so fast and it was about 24 inches deep at most. Many wouldn’t think something like this could happen in a short pond but it can and will,” said John Neal, Samuel’s father. “His lungs filled up fast with water.”

Samuel was quickly pulled out and Lacie and John (his parents) were on the phone with a 911 dispatcher being instructed on how to administer CPR to their son. Deputy Cox quickly arrived and continued to work on Samuel who was showing no signs of life.

Suddenly, a faint heartbeat was picked up in Samuel and Lifestar was immediately called to land in a field next to the home to take him to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.

Doctors had many concerns at first but Samuel responded favorably to the treatments and started to slowly improve.

“We are so grateful to God for Him sparing Samuel’s life. We are also very thankful to everyone who prayed for his recovery,” said John Neal. “We never lost our faith and we never stopped praying for Samuel. So many others lifted up prayers for him. I know God told Samuel this was not his time and gave him back his life here and used the first responders and doctors to help him.”

He has a lot of therapy to undergo which will take time but the efforts and fast actions of Deputy Cox played a vital role in Samuel Neal being alive today.

Samuel is home now with his family continuing to recover.

Word of Deputy Cox presented the award last night quickly reached Samuel’s mother, Lacie Neal.

“This brings tears to my eyes. I will be forever and always be grateful for Kobe Cox. He for sure deserves this reward and every reward after that. I couldn’t put into words or even try to explain just how thankful I am for Kobe. I cannot wait for the day him and Samuel are reunited.  Everyone on the scene that day was so amazing and did everything they could to make sure my little boy would come back to me.”