You would think that, whether you deserve to be in there or not, being a prisoner would leave you with some resentment towards the guards. Knowing that they come in, enforce the law, and then go home to their family and loved ones at the end of their shift while you have to stay in your cell, it must be a little frustrating to witness.
However, it seems that whatever bad feeling there may be, these inmates jumped into action at exactly the right time. Footage has made its way online of this group breaking out of their cell to save a prison guard having a heart attack. In the video, you can see them notice him slumping down in his seat as he fell unconscious.
Some move forward to check if he's okay while the others attract the attention of other guards. As soon as help arrives they are locked back up in their cell.
This incident occurred on June 23 2016 at Parker County District Courthouse, but now is the first time that Gary Grimm, the guard in question, has spoken about what happened. While he doesn't remember much of what happened, but told WHAS11 News about the event.
"They thought I was kidding," Grimm said, referring to the first reactions of the prisoners. "I wasn't."
"I just slumped and went out. Next thing I remember is looking up at the ceiling in the ER.
"Instead of overtaking me and taking my gun, and killing me or taking a hostage and escaping, they looked at me as a human being
"I get emotional. If they wished harm for me, all they had to do was sit there and do nothing."
However, he never got a chance to thank the inmates, as they were transported elsewhere while he recovered.
After twenty years working in security at Texas jails, he said that he treats inmates the way he would like to be treated.
"I don't care if they're a drug user, hot check writer, or child molester. They're still a human being. I don't have to like what they did, but it's not my position to be the judge and jury."
The 52-year-old retired in December because of his ongoing heart concerns, and is set for open heart surgery this week to get an LVAD (Left Ventricle Assistance Device) installed, after which will give him some temporary help. "I need that for at least six months, and then maybe we can have a transplant," he said.
A Go Fund Me page has been created by one of his close friends to help raise money for his treatment. The money would go towards extra expenses while he waits for the transplant to be approved. To date, the effort has raised $14,000 of its $75,000 goal, so there is some way still to go.
Hopefully, Gary pulls through and gets the transplant he has been hoping for.