Swat Doctor

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LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s not everyday your doctor can save your life in the hospital and put away criminals on the street.

However, it’s routine for a Columbus cardiologist because he’s also a reserve on the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department’s SWAT Team.
A doctor by day.

“I’m a cardiologist at Baptist Medical group,” Swat Doctor Donny Stokes said.

Then when the sheriff’s office radio goes off, Dr. Donny Stokes completes his mission to help people in law enforcement.

“I’ve always had a love and a desire to do first responder type stuff, and anything dealing with public safety,” he said.

Stokes has worked at Baptist Medical Group for three years and been on the SWAT Team for two.

He loves both jobs, but admits it can be tough juggling them both at the same time.

“I can’t leave a patient in jeopardy to go do my part time job, that’s where it becomes difficult. If they’ve got something going on, and I I’ve got something that’s critical going on at the hospital, I can’t walk away from it,” Stokes said.

In a moment’s notice, Stokes will put down his stethescope and pick up a gun.

This double duty means he has to help take care of people that are taken into custody.

“I’ve actually taken care of patients that are prisoners, and I’ve been on the scene to help arrest somebody and find out that they’re one of the heart patients that we treat at the hospital,” he said.

Although Stokes doesn’t think his two jobs are a big deal, law enforcement say he’s a valuable member of the SWAT Team.

“We like the fact that we have a cardiologist. He’s very energetic, and you can tell that he loves to work as a reserve officer,” Lowndes County Sheriff Mike Arledge said.

Stokes says seeing people get better and potentially saving lives is his motivation.

“You can make a difference. I mean you see people get better and you help people. I’ve had a lot of people help me over the years and so it’s nice to say that I can actually help people out at times.
Stokes served as a member of the National Guard for 13 years.

Now, he’s a volunteer for the Mississippi State Guard

Categories: Local News

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