WoodmenLife honors VDN’s David Day for bravery

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — David Day of Vicksburg Daily News was honored Wednesday, July 30, with the 2025 Lifesaver Award by WoodmenLife Chapter 1 President Joe Branch and WoodmenLife representative Pam Jones for his heroic actions during a structure fire on Kirkland Road in April.

Day was on the scene covering the fire when he noticed Warren County Fire Coordinator Jerry Briggs was in distress. Without hesitation, he stopped his live broadcast and stepped in to help.

“It was very hot. There were only two of us, and we were getting our butts kicked,” said Briggs. “You [Day] were doing your live, and you stopped your live and helped us start dragging hose, bringing water, dragging spare oxygen bottles—stuff normal press people don’t do.”

Day, who is a certified volunteer firefighter himself, knew Briggs was in trouble.

“I told Joe [Branch] that when David started [Vicksburg Daily News] several years ago, he wanted to know the ins and outs of the fire service,” said Briggs. “He went through the complete course so he knew what he was talking about when he did his lives.”

Branch said he learned about the incident after his daughter saw a photo on Facebook showing Day assisting Briggs during the fire.

“So the picture Joe called me about—I laughed about it—when I’m passed out on the ground over there, you’re bringing me an air bottle,” Briggs said. “It looks like you’re about to clock me over the head.”

Initially, WoodmenLife considered recognizing Day with a Good Citizen Award. But Branch said the team felt Day’s actions went above and beyond, warranting the organization’s Lifesaver Award instead.

“If David hadn’t been there, Jerry could have possibly succumbed to heat stroke or something like that,” said Branch. “We just wanted to recognize your selfless act. You put your business behind you to see to it that Jerry had the oxygen that he needed.”

The WoodmenLife Heart & Heritage Awards program honors individuals and organizations who make a meaningful difference in their communities—whether by performing heroic acts, inspiring others, or leading behind the scenes.

The awards are designed to honor those who “do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do.”