By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
911 Center Slater Liller was honored for going above and beyond the call of duty to assist callers and save lives. Liller, a longtime 911 dispatcher, was presented a plaque in recognition of his efforts by 911 Center Director Daniel Hebb. At the presentation, Sherry Simmons related how Liller’s efforts saved the life of her husband, Bill, one fateful evening in August of 2021.
Hebb said that Liller’s efforts stand out above and beyond what is expected of dispatchers. “This employee stands out and goes above and beyond what is asked and taught,” Hebb said. “His selfless and persistent acts have saved lives. Through his valiant efforts and persistent questioning, he was able to retrieve vital information that ultimately led to the saving of the patient’s life.”
According to Hebb, Liller has coached callers through administering CPR and Narcan to save the lives of patients. “He coached a man through CPR and how to administer Narcan,” Hebb said. “The patient has a long life ahead of them. He pretty well saved them through coaching. Its not the first time he’s done this.”
Simmons related that in August of 2021, Liller’s quick actions saved the life of her husband. “On August the 25th, 2021, a John Deere lawnmower met a truck pulling a cattle trailer in front of the Com Center, but the quick action from a dispatcher saved my Bill’s life,” Simmons said.
“He was the first on scene to administer CPR,” Simmons said. “We owe him a lifetime of gratitude for acts that evening were beyond his call of duty.”
Simmons said she owes many others a lifetime of gratitude for their actions that day. “The EMS, the Fire Department, God rest his soul, Adam Arborgast and P.S. Martin, along with good neighbors Kevin and Leslie White, Jonathan and Jennifer Rosier and Amanda Simmons we also owe a lifetime of gratitude,” Simmons said.
According to Simmons, the doctor at Ruby Memorial said that if not for the quick response that her husband received that day, he would not be here today. “Bill coded three times, sustained a head injury, a broken clavicle, nine broken ribs, two broken vertebrae, he was in ICU and a total times he spent in Ruby Memorial Hospital was 10 days,” Simmons said. “The doctor in charge that night, told me that if it wasn’t for the quick response that Bill received from all persons involved, he would not be here today.”
Tucker County Commission President Mike Rosenau thanked Liller for his efforts on behalf of the Tucker County Commission. “On behalf of the Tucker County Commission, I want to thank you for all that you do,” Rosenau said. “For the life saving that you have committed and done here beyond your call of duty. When Sherry was talking about Bill, you saw that right outside the window of the 911 Center. So, you didn’t hesitate to go assist and that is beyond anybody and I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do.”
