Man had just 'started a new chapter' when he saved girlfriend's 2 young nephews from drowning
"He gave his life so that others could live, becoming a true guardian angel in the process,” the man's obituary said
NEED TO KNOW
- In July, Jeff Brady jumped into the Colorado River to save his girlfriend's two nephews after they became distressed while swimming
- The boys were saved, but Jeff went into the water — and his body was only found hours later
- Now he is being honored as a hero by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
A man in California is being honored as a hero after he died last year saving his girlfriend’s two nephews from drowning.
The incident unfolded in July when 51-year-old Jeff Brady was with his twin brother, Greg, traveling through Colorado River with other family members, according to local NBC station KNSD.
Jeffrey's girlfriend’s 10-year-old nephew swam out to deeper water and the boy's 12-year-old brother followed before they began struggling to swim, according to the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, which this week awarded Jeff with a medal.
Jeff's boat was anchored at a nearby sandbar when he heard the boys’ cries for help, the fund said.
“Jeff didn’t hesitate, he saw children in danger and acted without a second thought. That’s just who he was.... a protector, a provider, and a selfless hero,” wrote the organizers of a GoFundMe created to support Jeff's family.
The commission said Jeff's brother, Greg, also jumped in the water to help before a passing boat stopped to give aid.
Jeff, however, had already gone underwater. While the two boys were unharmed, he drowned and his body was found hours later.
“I reach for my phone at least once or twice a day to call him or text him about something that’s going on in my life,” his brother told KNSD.
An obituary for Jeff said that “his final moments were spent doing what he always did best: protecting and helping others.”
“Jeff’s final act was one of pure selflessness and courage—an embodiment of the man he was every day of his life. In the face of danger, Jeff didn’t hesitate. He gave his life so that others could live, becoming a true guardian angel in the process,” his obituary said.
According to the fundraiser for his family, Jeff "had recently started a new chapter of life."
He'd moved "from California to Yuma, Arizona just two months ago. He bought a new home to create a safe and peaceful space for his loved ones. Living with him were the two GoHans Mindwho meant the world to him, Elen, the love of his life, and his 84-year-old blind father," according to the GoFundMe.
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This week the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission give him a posthumous medal as one of 18 recipients who risked their life to save another, the fund said.
The award includes a cash grant and a medallion inscribed with his story.
“He’s obviously very deserving of this ... but obviously I would much rather have my brother here,” his brother told ABC affiliate KGTV.
Greg he plans to use the grant toward a scholarship for high school students and toward the Jeff Brady Water Safety Initiative that he hopes will promote safer conditions on the Colorado River.
“I try to live every day to do right in his eyes,” Greg told KGTV, “and just keep his legacy and his memory alive.”
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