TULARE COUNTY, California—Approaching the one-year mark since the poignant event, the memory of a heroic act lingers in the hearts of many.
On the fateful day of April 29th, a 7-year-old girl was saved, but Jaime did not survive.
Alexandra Romero fondly recalls her brother, Jaime, as a true hero. She reflects, “He’s absolutely my hero, there’s no doubt about that. He will always be my hero, and I know if he had to do it again, he would’ve, without a doubt.”
Last year on April 29th, Jaime, along with his friends, was enjoying a barbecue at Slick Rock in Three Rivers. The roaring Kaweah River, swollen from recent rain and snowmelt, set the backdrop for the events that unfolded. Upon hearing a distressed mother’s cries for help, Jaime sprang into action without hesitation.
“He would’ve done it again. He’d do it in a heartbeat,” Alexandra affirmed.
While first responders successfully rescued the stranded girl and a man from a precarious position on a large rock in the river, Jaime’s fate took a tragic turn as he disappeared beneath the surface.
For the ensuing 30 days, Alexandra and her family persevered, camping out, waiting, and searching relentlessly. The initial weeks of uncertainty gradually stretched into agonizing months until Jaime’s body was finally recovered in October.
The pain of loss remained raw for Alexandra, who shared, “It hurt like the first day it did. It was some relief because then we were able to bring him home. The last thing he wanted was for him to be in the water for that long.”
Recollections from Jaime’s friends echo his selfless character, remembering his poignant words before his brave act, “What if that was my daughter?”
Alexandra finds solace in Jaime’s daughter, two-year-old Yazmin, who cherishes her father’s memory dearly. “We talk to her about her dad and we remind her every day how much her daddy loved her,” Alexandra said.
A student at the College of the Sequoias, Jaime had recently completed arborist courses, showcasing his dedication to learning and growth.
Despite the lingering pain, the unwavering support from loved ones, including her own children and niece, sustains Alexandra and her family through their grief.
In a poignant plea, Jaime’s mother desires to meet the family of the girl rescued by her son, seeking closure and a final sense of healing. Alexandra shared, “My mom would like for that family to come forward. She feels like that is the closure she needs, that final healing. She needs to see whose life he saved.”
To commemorate Jaime’s legacy, a celebration of life event will be held on April 29th at the Veterans Memorial Building in Visalia, running from 3 pm to 8 pm. All who knew Jaime or wish to offer their support are warmly invited to attend.
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