A Patrick County deputy who used his vacation to help save a life is being hailed a hero by the victim’s family, according to a release from Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith.

Dan Gray was vacationing in Myrtle Beach, S.C., according to Smith, who said he received a call from the victim’s wife.

The woman told Smith her husband was swimming in a pool at their hotel, along with several other people, Smith said he was told. The woman said her husband suddenly grabbed his chest, immediately lost consciousness and sank to the pool’s floor.

Gray, who also was in the pool, pulled the man from the bottom of the pool and found the victim was not breathing and had no pulse, according to the man’s wife.

Gray began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the man, Smith said he was told. After several minutes, the victim regained consciousness and began to breathe on his own.

Paramedics arrived a short time later and transported the victim to the hospital, Smith said he was told.  The paramedics told the wife that Gray’s quick application of chest compressions and rescue breaths saved her husband’s life.

The victim’s wife told Smith her husband is doing well since the incident, which occurred on July 16.

Gray “doesn’t see that he did anything extraordinary, but the victim’s family certainly thinks otherwise. I am proud to have him as a member of our law enforcement family,” Smith said.

He added law enforcement professionals realize that their chosen profession is not just a job–it is an identity – whether at work or even on vacation.

“We chose this profession because we have a constant, underlying desire to help and protect others, that’s how we are wired,” Smith said. “Deputy Gray’s actions show that.”

Gray is an eight-year veteran at the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office. He currently is assigned to the patrol division, and also is a member of the office’s tactical response team.