Inmates break out of cell to save prison guard's life

PARKER COUNTY, Texas -- At least eight prisoners in Parker County, Texas were behind a locked door with one armed guard across the room. Suddenly, the guard slumps unconscious.

"He just fell over. It looked like an act or something, and he died right there," says inmate Nick Kelton.

Kelton and other inmates shouted for help, then managed to bust out of their holding room, even though they knew that was dangerous.

"We were a little worried because they were going to come with their guns drawn on us," Kelton added.

The guard had no pulse. Inmates screamed and banged on doors so loudly that deputies upstairs in court came running.

Sgt. Ryan Speegle rushed in first to corral the inmates, still not completely understanding what was happening. Deputies started CPR, and paramedics arrived and shocked the guard, who regained the pulse. Inmates watched life returning.

"That's a good man, had to save his life," says Kelton.

Kelton says he is a meth addict facing his fourth trip to prison. Parker County Sheriff's Captain Mark Arnett believe prisoners certainly helped the guard, and likely saved him.

"He could have been there 15 minutes before any other staff walked in and found him," said Captain Arnett.

To show one's true stripes is to reveal one's true character. Nick Kelton and the others went to court expected to do time, not to give it.

"I mean, it never crossed my mind, whether he has a gun or a badge. If he falls down, I'm going to help him. It seems natural to me," Kelton says.