Eddie Gerardo Cervantes Lora died attempting to rescue Melanie Caligiuri and a girl from drowning, Tracy, California, October 10, 2023. Caligiuri, 46, and her 5-year-old daughter struggled to swim amid fast-moving, cold water in the San Joaquin River after their sport utility vehicle left the road and submerged about 50 feet from the riverbank. Driving on a nearby bridge with a friend, Cervantes, 41, dairy worker, saw the mother and daughter struggling to swim in deep water. Cervantes exited the vehicle and ran down an embankment to the water’s edge, where he removed his boots and entered the water. Cervantes then swam about 50 feet to Caligiuri and her daughter, where he moved the duo about 5 feet closer to the bank before he submerged. A laborer was with coworkers driving across the bridge when he saw Cervantes responding to the duo in the water. The laborer ran down the embankment and swam out to Caligiuri and the girl. He brought the girl back to the bank, where Cervantes’s friend helped them exit the water. Meanwhile, the current carried Caligiuri, who had submerged, downstream. The laborer then ran along the river, reentered the water, and retrieved Caligiuri, who had resurfaced, before towing her back to the riverbank, where bystanders performed CPR before emergency personnel assumed control of the scene. Caligiuri was transported to a hospital, where she was placed in intensive care; she died six days later. The girl was unharmed. The laborer was not injured. Cervantes’s body was recovered a day later about 300 feet downstream; he had drowned.
10443-Eddie Gerardo Cervantes Lora
Manteca, CA
In a world where acts of kindness and selflessness can sometimes feel rare, we were blessed to know a remarkable soul who embodied these qualities — Topollo, Eddie Gerardo Cervantes Lora. He was 41 years old.
Our beloved Topollo, touched the lives of many with his compassion and unwavering love for others.
On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, we tragically lost Topollo, a real-life hero who selflessly sacrificed his life to save a woman and her 5-year-old daughter from a harrowing car accident. Their vehicle ended up submerged in the San Joaquin River near his home. After successfully rescuing the young girl, Topollo heroically re-entered the water in search of the woman, making the ultimate sacrifice in his act of valor. We seek your support to honor his memory and assist his family during this difficult time.
Topollo’s love for family was unwavering. “Family first” was not just a motto but a way of life for him. Hanging out with family was of utmost importance, and he cherished every moment spent with his loved ones. He adored his three wonderful children, Michelle (17), Gerardo (16), and Addie (4). Topollo also cherished his beloved wife, Norma and the many years they have spent together as a family. To them, Topollo is not just a hero to strangers but a superhero within the family.
Topollo’s spirit shined brightly in his everyday actions. He was a happy person, and his happiness was contagious. He had a knack for making those around him smile, and his laughter was a gift to all who spent even a few minutes with him. He was also the kind of person who put others before himself, a true embodiment of a Good Soul. His compassion knew no bounds, and he radiated love, warmth, and kindness to everyone he encountered.
Topollo had a special place in his heart for horses and spending time outdoors. As his family’s only source of income and a true breadwinner, his hardworking spirit was an inspiration to all who knew him, and a testament to the dedication and love he poured into every aspect of his life. Today, we ask everyone not to dwell on the tragic incident that took him from us but to celebrate his life because he made the world a better place.
Topollo leaves behind his wife and kids, his Mother Gloria, his siblings Brenda, Orlando, Emilio, and the rest of our family who can now truly attest that not all heroes wear capes – Topollo wore a cowboy hat.