Ted Heath was just doing his job March 6.

But the Curry County deputy’s heroic efforts to save a drowning kayaker earned him a statewide life-saving award.

The Oregon State Marine Board gave Heath its Public Safety Officer Life Saving Award at the agency’s annual conference last week in Bend.

“I want to thank Deputy Heath for a job well done, and for furthering this department’s mission of professionalism, respect and justice, while helping keep our citizens and visitors to our county safe and secure,” said Curry County Sheriff John Bishop in the press release.

Heath’s heroics began when Roy Rousseau was kayaking in the mouth of the Rogue River at Gold Beach. A large breaking wave knocked Rousseau out of his kayak. He was not able to make it back to shore and was having trouble keeping himself from being pulled out to sea and bashed against the jetty rocks.

Heath went to Rousseau’s aid, noticing he was becoming very lethargic, and not able to follow directions due to hypothermia setting in. Knowing time was running out, Heath threw a 75-foot rope to Rousseau and instructed him to wrap the rope around his arm.

Heath was able to get Rousseau the rope on the first try and with the assistance of another person he was able to pull the kayaker to safety.