The events on Gaylor Road are heart-wrenching.

A family and the community mourns the death of Artiemese Harris-Frye, who was trapped in her burning house until emergency responders could rescue her from the blaze.

Despite efforts to keep her alive with CPR, Harris-Frye was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

As the entire community mourns the tragic loss of life, Tuesday’s events remind us of the danger local law enforcement and emergency personnel face each day to rescue and protect the lives of all citizens.

A family member at the scene of the fire praised Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies for never giving up — for working fearlessly and relentlessly to save Harris-Frye from flames and smoke that had consumed her house.

Once a wall in the burning structure was knocked down, Natchez firefighters and sheriff’s deputies entered the house to rescue the elderly woman inside.

Two of the sheriff’s deputies who suffered smoke inhalation were hospitalized. Both were in stable condition, although one deputy was expected to remain at Merit Health overnight.

All too often the risks local law enforcement, firefighters and emergency personnel face at motor vehicle accidents, shootings, distress calls and other emergencies go unnoticed.

The men and women who put their own safety aside to save another life when they enter burning buildings and other life-threatening circumstances deserve our thanks for never giving up, even in the face of tragedy.