Rankin girl reunites with hero deputy

A 9-year-old Rankin County girl ran into the arms of the deputy who saved her life when they reunited Wednesday.

Rankin County Deputy Daniel Strickland saved Dee Dee Ward when she began choking Sunday, WLBT reported.

Dee Dee tried to open a water bottle with her teeth when the cap got stuck in her throat. The incident happened outside the Multi-Purpose Pavilion during Rankin County Riding Club races.

Deputy Strickland says, "A lady started screaming for help and I looked up and saw a commotion."

"It was hurting my throat where I couldn't breath or nothing," Dee Dee said.

Strickland performed the Heimlich Maneuver on Dee Dee about 10 times before the bottle cap was dislodged.

"I thank God above for sending him because he knew he would be needed that day at the right time at the right place," Dee Dee's mother, Crystal Kennedy said.

Deputy Strickland credited his training as well as divine intervention for saving the little girl's life. That morning after church Bikers for Christ had presented Strickland with a cross. "They said we pray over these crosses before we give them to somebody. We just want to give it to you, and hopefully you'll be blessed today."

Dee Dee and her quarter horse, Roscoe, went on to place fifth in the pole competition.