Inmates Break Out Of A Texas Jail To Save Prison Guard's Life After He Suffers Heart Attack

When it comes to reasons why prison inmates break out of jail, saving a jailer's life isn't top of the list. But that's what happened at Parker County jail when a guard suffered what was thought to be a heart attack.

The inmates in question were shackled in a holder cell with the armed guard sitting opposite them at a table. Suddenly he slumped over and fell to the floor, and the inmates knew something wasn't right. After shouting for help and getting no response they then risked potentially getting shot by breaking out of the cell and going to his aide. The whole incident was captured on surveillance camera.

"We were worried they’re going to come with guns drawn on us," inmate Nick Kelton, a meth addict, told WFAA. They then checked his pulse, he had none, and continued to make noise so that the deputies upstairs came down to see what all the commotion was.

The confused deputies came down to find the inmates over the guard, and ushered them back into the cell. The deputies then administered CPR before paramedics arrived, who shocked the jailer and he thankfully regained a pulse.

“He’s a good man,” Kelton said when asked why the prisoners did it. "“I watched him die twice. It never crossed my mind not to help whether he’s got a gun or a badge. If he falls down, I’m gonna help him."

Capt. Mark Arnett praised the prisoners quick response telling NBC, “They definitely saved his life. There’s no doubt about that.”

The eight prisoners, in for various charges including assault and drugs, will still be processed. They'll be no additional charges though and the door to the holding cell has now been reinforced.