The Christian County Sheriff’s Office is recognizing a local hero who saved a young man’s life. On April 2nd, 2022 at 7:05 AM Shawn Berroyer left his residence in Kincaid and was on his way to Walmart in Taylorville when he noticed something unusual in a wooded area just off IL Route 104.  About ½ mile southeast of the city limits of Kincaid, Berroyer spotted something red in the brushy area. After stopping his vehicle, Berroyer then investigated. The object that he discovered was a pickup truck that had struck a tree.

Berroyer called 9-1-1 and notified them of the accident and discovered a male occupant in the pickup truck and gave aid until law enforcement and EMS arrived. Christian County Deputies are investigating the vehicle crash and it is unknown when the actual accident occurred.  The vehicle was a 2013 Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by 48 year old Joseph K. Ruyle from Taylorville. Dunn’s ambulance transported Ruyle to a Springfield hospital with serious injuries.

Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp praised Berroyer for not only seeing something suspicious and reporting it, but also investigating what was going on. The Sheriff says that Berroyer probably saved Ruyle’s life. His injuries prevented him from getting out of the vehicle and walking to get help. 

Sheriff Kettelkamp awarded Berroyer with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office Award of Outstanding Service and says that Berroyer demonstrates what kind of community Christian County has when citizens step up and take action to help one another. The Sheriff continued by stating that he couldn’t be more proud of being the Sheriff and a resident of Christian County and community of generous and caring citizens.  

The Christian County Sheriff’s Office encourages all citizens to immediately report anything suspicious or out of place to law enforcement.