Officer Dies From Heart Attack After Stopping A School Fight

An officer reportedly suffered a heart attack and died after breaking up a fight between two high school students in Cook County, 80 miles northeast of Tallahassee, Florida, on Tuesday, Oct 4.

Captain Terry Arnold, a school resource officer, reportedly intervened in a fight between two high school students at Cook High School on Tuesday, Oct 4 morning. After breaking up the fight, while Arnold and a school employee restrained one of the students from the fight and escorted the student through the school's main entrance, Arnold suffered a heart attack and collapsed onto the floor, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Medical personnel at the school immediately provided first aid to Arnold until emergency medical services arrived and transferred him to South Georgia Medical Center for immediate treatment. However, Arnold, who was affectionately known as “turtle,” was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

“Captain Arnold loved and was loved by Cook County and the entire South Georgia community,” officials said after Arnold's death.

Arnold had worked 26 years with the sheriff’s office, and had “served in every facet of the office.” At the time of his death, Arnold, who had previously served with the City of Adel and City of Remerton police departments, was reportedly working as the supervisor and director of the School Resource Officers Division for the sheriff’s office and the Cook County School District, Yahoo News reported.

“Terry was one of those friends you could call day/night and he would come to you in your time of need,” one person wrote on Facebook mourning Arnold's death.

“If you knew this man at all, you had a friend for life,” another Facebook post said.

“I’ve never known anyone that had as big of a heart as this guy. He knew everyone and treated everyone the same. There is a lot to learn from the legacy he has left on Cook County.”

“If we all lived and led our lives like this man did our community and world would be a whole lot better and brighter. Capt. Terry Arnold shared his heart and love for his fellow man like no other,” a third friend shared on Facebook.

Arnold is reportedly survived by his son, four daughters, and 10 grandchildren.