Orange County sheriff's deputy honored for saving boy's life

IRVINE, Calif. -- The Orange County Sheriff's Department honored 37 men and women Thursday at the department's 27th annual Medal of Valor ceremony.

One of those recipients is Sgt. Scott Baker, who saved a 10-year-old boy's life.

Elijah Belden said he knows he would not be alive today were it not for the quick actions of Baker, who is also Elijah's little league coach.

On his 10th birthday, Elijah grabbed a pole that was touching some loose electrical wires. He was electrocuted and then went into cardiac arrest.

"We had to push him off of the pole where he was being shocked and we did CPR," Baker said.

Doctors put Elijah in a medically induced coma for a week. After waking up, he went through rehabilitation and made a quick recovery. He is even playing baseball again.

"He didn't have to do what he did, but that's the kind of man he is," Elijah's father, Tony Belden, said.

The Belden family is grateful for what Baker did while he was off-duty. The family even helped honor Baker at the ceremony.

The event recognizes deputies who have shown exceptional courage and merit.

Baker received medals of courage and lifesaving as well as the Distinguished Deputy Award. It is given out to one deputy each year.

While he is humbled by the recognition, he said it means much more to see Elijah doing well.

Elijah was inspired by his coach and was CPR certified on Sunday.