Images of Sumter deputies helping Crestwood grad go viral

A recent Crestwood High School graduate probably did not expect to happily see blue lights and sirens drive toward him as he was about to miss his graduation ceremony, and the officers who helped him probably did not expect for their act of kindness to go viral online and make it to Oklahoma and back.

After the story of Sumter County Sheriff's Office Deputy Isaac McLeod and Cpl. Fred Brantley helping Austin Matula after antifreeze blew up in his face and ruined his school-mandated white button-down by cleaning him off and racing to buy him another shirt to go with his robes went viral - even The Washington Post picked it up - a woman in Bixby, Oklahoma, read about it and was so touched she wanted to do something to show her appreciation.

"I saw the story of you helping Austin Matula, and it certainly warmed my heart. I hope each of you will accept a print as a reminder that total strangers appreciate all of the ways that ya'll serve your community. May God bless you both," Sue Cornett wrote in a letter that accompanied a copy of a painting her father made in 2012 of an American eagle in front of an American flag.

She explained in the letter that her father, Gil Cornett, was an "amazing artist" who did mostly lettering and sign painting.

"There was always a boat, a race car, a motorcycle or a banner in our garage when we were growing up. He painted Christmas scenes on store windows, football and motorcycle helmets and even backdrop sets for musicals I was in at school," she wrote.

When he decided to do the patriotic painting, family and friends started asking for copies. A friend who owns a printing company printed and has given away more than 6,000 copies.

"They have followed cars with military bumper stickers or people with military hats. They have mailed them to families of fallen soldiers, to wounded soldiers, to senators, congressmen, Patriot Guard Riders, Quilts of Valor, Honor Flights, The Salvation Army, Folds of Honor and Joy in the Cause, just to name a few," Cornett wrote. "Not to mention countless individuals in restaurants, classic car shows, churches and even Walmart parking lots. They have made new friends, met so many amazing people and heard countless stories of valor throughout the last three years."

They call it the Eagle Ministry.

Gil Cornett was a Vietnam veteran and was hospitalized in May 2015. He passed away on June 4, 2015.

"I continue to share his prints to honor him," Cornett said.

Brantley, who was one of the two officers who were documented on Sumter School District's Facebook page helping Matula with his new shirt and tie, said he was honored by the gesture but that he was simply doing his job.

"It was heart touching that someone could take the time to do that for a stranger," he said. "In all my years in the force, I never had no one send something like that."

McLeod, who is the school resource officer at Crestwood and has known Matula for years, said helping with situations like that is why he likes being a cop.

"We're just looking to help anytime a kid needs something. You just do your job and be professional," he said.

Matula, who will be attending Clemson University this fall for veterinary science and got a summer job at Dollar General to help pay for classes, said he was thankful for the deputies and for the woman who took the time to thank them, too.

The teen had made sure he arrived at Sumter County Civic Center early, but when a check engine light went on and he took the radiator cap off, antifreeze exploded on his arms, hands and face.

It burned, he said, but he took his shirt off before it soaked through. His friend called 911.

When Brantley and McLeod saw the ambulance, they went over to see what was wrong. Lt. Trevor Brown had helped clean him off, but the principal said Matula couldn’t walk without a shirt.

McLeod was able to tell his mother what was going on - seeing your son surrounded by blue lights, an ambulance and cops will probably make any parent's stomach drop.

"That's your job anyway, to help people like this. That's my thrill," McLeod said.

Before Brantley and McLeod walked away with a viral story about their good deeds and a painting they share with people and veterans across the country, Matula walked across the stage with his diploma.

He shook one finger when he received it because the rest were wrapped up in a towel from the antifreeze.

"We wanted," Brantley said, "to see him graduate."