Two Darby Borough police officers were recognized recently for an act of heroism after saving a man’s life who was seriously injured in a landscaping accident.

Darby police officers Terrell Lee and Shain McCaughey responded June 19 to a man injured while using a stump grinder in the backyard of a Greenway Avenue home, write Madeleine Wright and Casey Kuhn for CBS News Philadelphia.

The man was clearing debris from the chipper and a piece of his clothing was sucked into the machine.

The man went into complete shock after one of his legs was severed.

The officers kept him as calm as possible, keeping him conscious.

Officer Lee used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, while Officer McCaughey put bandages on the man’s leg until medics arrived.

Doctors said the victim would have died from blood loss had it not been for the swift actions of both officers.

Officers Lee and McCaughey were honored July 17 by Darby’s mayor and borough council with a citation and a pin for heroism.

“It’s a nice gesture,” Officer Lee said. “We really do appreciate it but, that’s not what we come here for. We come here to serve and protect.”

Read more about the June 19 incident at CBS News Philadelphia.