A San Diego native who died while rescuing two children from an Arizona river will be posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal, which recognizes civilians who perform acts of heroism, it was announced Tuesday.
Jeffery Edward Brady, 51, who had moved to Arizona just before his death, will be recognized for saving his girlfriend’s 10-year-old and 12-year- old nephews from the Colorado River after the boys were swept away by the current.
On July 5, 2025, Brady entered the water to retrieve the boys and kept them above water until a boat approached and the children were safely pulled out of the river, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office said last year.
However, Brady was unable to stay afloat himself and submerged, according to the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, which awarded the Carnegie Medal to Brady and 17 others this year.
An online obituary dedicated to Brady states that he was born and raised in San Diego County and “was a man known for his strength, warmth, and unwavering loyalty to those he loved.”
The obituary continues, “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. Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing his final moments were spent doing what he always did best: protecting and helping others.”