Sheriff's deputies have often been hailed as heroes in local communities, but this time, it was the deputies who hailed others as heroes.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office presented a citation medal to Orlando Regional Medical Center staff members for their exemplary service to the sheriff's office and the community.

Sheriff Kevin Beary brought some of his wounded deputies to the ceremony, saying they would not be alive, if it was not for the efforts of ORMC staff members.

One of those deputies, Adam Pierce, who was paralyzed after a shootout with a suspected drug dealer, wanted to be there to say "Thank you."

Beary said he was especially thankful for ORMC's trauma center.

"This is just our way of saying 'Thank you,'" Beary said. "They do a phenomenal job. We're lucky to have the quality we have here in Central Florida, and at ORMC."

Deputy Pierce called the doctors and nurses heroes, and said it gave him a good feeling to know they were there.

That is why the staff members at ORMC are our Central Floridians of the Week.

 To see more this or other Central Floridians of the Week, go to News 13 On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 313.

 
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