A Sullivan County Sheriff's Office deputy was recognized for saving two lives during a house fire that happened back on Christmas Eve in 2022.

The sheriff's office says the fire happened at a house along D Droke Road in Piney Flats December 24, 2022. Deputy Austin Saddler was the first person to arrive on scene. Once he was at the home he heard a woman inside, and Saddler went inside the home. Inside the home he realized there was a man in there as well. Through smoke and flames, Saddler safely got both victims out. Deputy Saddler also was also able to help get two animals out of the house safely.

The sheriff's office presented Saddler with a life-saving award.

"I had to save a life, if I would have left them in there, there's a chance they would have burned up and that's not what we do. We serve our citizens with pride, and I'll do anything to protect them," Saddler said.

Saddler was also presented with a letter of commendation for his work as Post Director for the Sheriff's Office Explorer program, which recently won first place in a national competition. To read more about that click here.