Detroit Firefighter Dies A Hero Saving 3 Young Girls From Drowning In River

Detroit Fire Sgt. Sivad Johnson, who went missing after saving three young girls from drowning in the Detroit River, died a hero Friday after he jumped in to save them. Johnson and his daughter were on a walk when they heard the girls screaming for help, according to media reports.

Johnson, 48, reportedly jumped in the water and helped get two of the girls to shore while another was picked up by a civilian on a boat. The boater told authorities there were rip currents where Johnson went in to help the girls. His body was recovered Saturday and he becomes the third death in the Detroit River over the last week.

“It is believed the father may have been dragged underwater by the rip-current and no one noticed,” Michigan State Police said via a statement.

A 26-year veteran of the Detroit fire department, Johnson received the department's medal of valor in 2017. His bio on The Moth Radio Hour site reads:

"Sivad Johnson is a native Detroiter. He is married with two children. He's also a second-generation firefighter with the Detroit Fire Department. Sivad is a Sergeant who has enjoyed 24 years, and counting, with the city now. He is an artist, who's been drawing since four-years old, and has had the privilege of seeing his works at local businesses, in children's books, newsprint, television, and even the fashion runway. A self-proclaimed "student of life" he is on a journey of discovery, growth, influence, and enriching experiences."

Sivad was the voice behind the "To Bravely Do or Bravely Die" podcast. "I might be biased in saying that Detroit Firefighters are some of the best at what we do, but truthfully we’ve had a lot of practice," Johnson tells a story about how he and another firefighter ran into a burning building trying to save a woman, but things went bad for Johnson.

“I didn’t want to die in this fire, not today, not this way,” Johnson said. He eventually figured a way out only to find out the woman hadn't been rescued so he ran back in. Johnson eventually pulled the woman out of the house and got her to an ambulance. The woman didn't survive.

"But it comes with the job."

Sivad Johnson, via Detroit Fire Department