Still grieving the “immeasurable and seemingly never-ending” pain of losing his son, father Shivy Brooks remains proud of 16-year-old Bryce, who gave his life to save four children from drowning.
In April 2023, while on vacation in Pensacola, Florida, Bryce and his friends saw a group of younger kids caught in a dangerous rip current. Without hesitation, they jumped in to help.
“Bryce was calling for help—not for himself, but for the kids he was trying to save,” Shivy shared.
Tragically, Bryce was pulled under. He died of cardiac arrest. A close family friend, Charles “Uncle Chuck” Johnson II, also lost his life trying to rescue him.
Shivy and his wife Crystal have honored their son through the Bryce Brooks Foundation, which provides free swim lessons and lifeguard training scholarships. Johnson’s son was among the first scholarship recipients.
“Bryce is a hero,” Shivy said. “He stepped into manhood by saving those children. We’ll never see him grow into the man he was becoming, but we’re so proud.”
Crystal added, “It doesn’t ease the pain, but it makes me proud of our son and his sacrifice.”
Months later, Shivy’s social media reflects a father’s heartbreak and pride: “I just want to talk to this kid. I just want my son to come home.”
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