While her home was filling up with 18 feet of water, Cobb Animal Control Officer Deborah Rodriguez rushed to help save her neighbor’s pets during last week’s devastating flood.

The Austell resident is just one of the public safety heroes who became victims while responding to others.

Rodriguez, who lives in the Blue Waters subdivision off Water Valley Road, lost nearly everything. Her husband, Jose, recently retired after serving 28 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Luckily, he was able to salvage a few items before their home was completely inundated with floodwater.

"The focus goes to the residents and victims of the flood, and we sometimes don't think about the police, firefighters and animal control officers that are going through the same thing. I'm not angry with anyone because no one caused this. It was a natural thing that happened," Rodriguez said. "We live and learn. Fortunately, I've gotten help from the county and Chaplain Program. It's been helpful for me to know those people I work with on a daily basis have come together to help each other out."

The Cobb County Police Department's Chaplain Program has been around for 10 years, and helps public safety employees in times of financial and personal need, said Lt. T.R. Alexander, chaplain program coordinator.

So far, the Chaplain Program has helped three public safety employees who lost their home, cars and possessions in the flood. Alexander said many more employees were financially affected by the disaster. Some have chosen to keep their situation private, but they're still out there.

"Just because you wear a badge or work for public safety doesn't mean you have any special protection to your home or health. You're better trained at handling things on the street, but that doesn't offer you any safeguard against these events," he said.

Rodriguez said she is happy her family made it out alive. As for the rest of her belongings, she said she watched memories float away.

"We had Marine Corps memorabilia, ultrasound pictures and pictures of the different places we had been while my husband was in the Corps," she said. "Those pictures are irreplaceable."

The family also lost four cars in the flood. They're currently staying at an InTown Suites and working on obtaining federal assistance.

"This is the second time we've been flooded out. To be honest, I hope the county condemns my house. It took me four years to get my money back together after we were flooded the first time in 2005," she said. "We had flood insurance, but unfortunately it doesn't cover content. We're trying to salvage what we can from the house."

In an e-mail last week, Cobb Public Safety Director Mickey Lloyd reached out to public safety employees who suffered losses.

"Many of you were on the front lines risking your life for the lives and property of the citizens of Cobb County, and are to be commended for such acts of compassion and heroism that you showed," Lloyd wrote. "I would like to take this time to ask our Public Safety family to rally around those employees that have lost or have had damage to their property."

To help raise money for the flood victims, Cobb Police is holding a raffle for a Suzuki motorcycle. Tickets can be purchased at the North Georgia State Fair in Exhibit Hall B. It costs $5 to enter the raffle, and the winner will be announced Dec. 4.

Marietta Police Chief Dan Flynn said the flood did not displace any of his employees. He said the Cobb County Law Enforcement Association has reached out to all of Cobb's law enforcement agencies to help anyone who lost their home.

Residents who want to donate to the Chaplain Program can also send a check to the Cobb County Police Department's headquarters at 140 North Marietta Parkway. Checks should be made out to the Cobb County Police Department Chaplain Program. For more information call (770) 499-3915.