Rankin County deputy receives lifesaving award for firearm accident response

The Rankin County Sheriff’s Department awarded Deputy Michael “Cody” Rayborn the Lifesaving Award on Thursday, sheriff’s officials said.

Sheriff Bailey and the Rankin County Board of Supervisors presented the award during a ceremony. In late 2025, Deputy Rayborn responded to a scene near Rolling Hills outside Florence, where a person had injured himself while cleaning a firearm.

Deputy Rayborn provided first aid and applied a tourniquet, saving the individual’s life, officials said. He is pictured with Sheriff Bailey and Board Attorney Craig Slay.