Scott was born at Leavhive, Creggs, County Galway, and was a farmer before joining the Garda Síochána on 1 April 1922, making him one of the first members of the force.
While stationed at Manorhamilton, County Leitrim on 22 September 1935, he was one of a Gardaí rescue party in search of a girl who had fallen into a chasm in the Glencar Caves.
According to Gerald O'Brien: "The actual depth of the chasm was unknown, though the Gardai were aware of local beliefs that it was considerable and that it might contain noxious gases.
Remaining at the bottom in pitch darkness and crouched in almost three feet of water, he tied the rope to the body and had it brought to the surface.
When he finally emerged again in the open air he was in urgent need of treatment for a catalogue of severe bruises, abraisions and cuts."