Luke Piercefield, middle, is presented with the Lifesaver Award. Photo Provided
Not many kids can say they have saved their father’s life. But Luke Piercefield, 8, can.
Luke Piercefield, son of Ryan and Brittany Piercefield, was presented the Lifesaver Award last week by Edinburgh Fire & Rescue, the Edinburgh Police Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for bravery during an emergency on May 18.
Luke and his dad were riding four-wheelers in Brown County when Ryan Piercefield drove up a hill he’s driven up probably a “100 times” before. This time the four-wheeler rolled back on top of him, Ryan Piercefield said.
Luke said there was blood running down his dad’s face and his nose “was almost completely cut.” The injuries were extensive, he sustained a broken nose, clavicle, scapula, shoulder and had trauma to his face, Brittany Piercefield said.
“The main part that was scary was seeing how bad my dad was,” Luke said.
Despite that fear, he called 911, clearly explaining what he thought was wrong with his dad and where they were located. He also sat by his dad, rubbing his back.
Ryan Piercefield, who is the Edinburgh town council president and a Franklin firefighter, said his son’s clear thinking in the moment was amazing.
“The transporting paramedic was a friend of mine from IU Health and he said when he got the dispatch, they knew exactly where to go based off of the description of that little boy(’s call),” Ryan said. “And I thought how amazing because we don’t have an address … so he gave it off of a county road and a crossroad. I was so proud of him.”
Brandon Routier, assistant chief of training at Edinburgh Fire & Rescue, said the Lifesaver Award is given to a person whose actions end up saving a life or making a difference in an emergency situation where responders are called.
“We try to instill education in all of our kids through our community school to call 911 and what to do in the event of an emergency and how to handle that from the age of preschool and kindergarten,” he said, “So, to see that that paid off and Luke was able to do that made us extremely proud.”
Luke was coming home from tae-kwon-do practice when the award was presented to him. At first, he “thought something crazy happened again” because public safety was there. He said he hasn’t won an award like the Lifesaver Award before.
“I’m just like, ‘Wow that’s a lot.’ It feels crazy to me,” he said about receiving the award.
Luke has never been in an emergency situation like this, but as the son of a firefighter and a nurse, he has grown up around public safety. What Luke did in the moment in describing the location is something above what a normal 8-year-old might do. Often, kids aren’t able to give clear directions, Ryan Piercefield said.
“We’ve beat into kids early, ‘911, call 911,’” Ryan Piercefield said. “You start young and then by the time they’re in kindergarten, first grade, they know if mommy’s sick, daddy’s sick, house is on fire, you call 911.”
Luke said his bravery probably comes from his dad “because he’s fearless, I can tell you that, he’s fearless.”
Luke had some tips to share for kids who end up in an emergency situation.
“Don’t panic and listen to what the (public safety) people say ‘cause they can tell you more stuff than you can guess from what you see … and I would say also be brave and … just do something to help,” he said.
Brittany Piercefield said she is proud of Luke, adding that he “always seems to make good decisions,” and they are blessed to have him.
When Ryan Piercefield talked about his son, his beaming smile exuded pride.
“I’m so proud of him … he did such a good job, I can’t describe how proud (I am), I’m smiling ear-to-ear I’m so proud of him” Ryan said. “And when they gave him the award, he was so appreciative. He was so proud. I couldn’t ask any more from him, he did such a good job for an 8-year-old little boy.”
