Watch: Georgia cop helps fallen runner finish marathon

SAVANNAH, GA – The Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon wraps up its race weekend Sunday.

With hundreds of stories coming out of this years run, one in particular is receiving a lot of social media attention. It is that of an officer helping a fallen runner make it to the finish line.

“I felt the need to help him finish this race so bad I would have carried him if I needed to,” says SCMPD Sgt. John Cain who was stationed as the Asst. Commander a quarter of a mile from the finish line along Anderson and Abercorn streets.

It’s a connection and experience the 27 year veteran will forever remember.

“While he was on the ground, he kept telling us that he had to finish the race he had to finish the race,” Cain says.

A runner in this year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon race collapsed less than half a mile to the finish. His name is Robert McCoy, an avid local runner, and he refused to quit after hitting the pavement face first.

“The emotions that you watch a person go through, knowing that he’s facing defeat and that you have an opportunity to help them was overwhelming to me and that’s the reason i felt compelled to help him,” says Cain.

Now that act of kindness has taken to social media. More than 300,000 people have “liked” and viewed the image of McCoy and Cain.

“His willingness to go forth even after being injured like he was, to make it to that finish line. he was the true inspiration to me and in my book he’s the hero,” Sgt. Cain says.

All the fame online Cain says doesn’t affect him. For him the act will forever mean more than the response.

“All of the social media the ‘thanks you’s’ that I received, the kind words that I received have been very very humbling and I didn’t do it for glory..I did it for him.”

News 3 did hear from McCoy later in the evening Sunday. He informed us that he is recovering from his injuries and wanted to extend his medal to the Sergeant if he would accept it.