John A. Stephen, Sr.

John A. Stephen, Sr., died attempting to save Andrew Emmanuel from drowning, Miami, Florida, April 12, 1964. While holding his fishing rod, Emmanuel, 24, laborer, started to swim across the Tamiami Canal but sank after swimming only 15 feet. Releasing the rod, he called for help, sank again, and surfaced. With one arm and both legs entangled in the fishing line. He again called for help. Stephen, 27, truck driver, ran 100 feet and removed his shoes and shirt. He entered the water and swam 55 feet diagonally to Emmanuel, who was 20 feet from the bank in water 20 feet deep after having been submerged briefly again. Emmanuel had succeeded in freeing his arm, but his legs still were entangled in the fishing line. He grasped Stephen’s neck with both hands, forcing him under water briefly. Stephen pushed forcibly against Emmanuel’s chest but could not break his hold. As the struggle continued, both were submerged again. They did not return to the surface. The bodies of Stephen and Emmanuel were recovered three hours later.