Fred Marsh, 24, of the Rogers Police Department, entered Missouri’s Elk River on Saturday to help another swimmer and did not resurface, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. His fiancée’s mother identified that swimmer as her daughter. Marsh was recovered and pronounced dead Sunday after asking his fiancée, Hailey, to marry him
“They had been together for three beautiful years, and they had a very beautiful, loving relationship,” Sheryl Padgett told KHBS. “Even though legally he was not my son-in-law, he will forever be my son.”
The pair, who had been together for three years, were out canoeing with another couple on the river near Noel, Missouri, when Hailey entered the water and began struggling against the current while trying to return to the boat. Arkansas Policeman dies in Failed RescueThe other officer went to help her, and Marsh joined the rescue effort when he saw his fiancée was in distress.
Padgett said her daughter was eventually pushed toward a canoe, but Marsh became caught in the current and began calling for help. The group and other people on the river tried to reach him, but he went underwater and did not resurface.
“He saw the love of his life in distress, and he was going to help his friend and do what a good human would do,” Padgett said. “He gave his life helping someone else.”