The body of a National Guardsman who went missing two days ago as he attempted to rescue a Maryland woman and her cat has been found.
Police from Howard County identified the body of Sgt. Eddison Hermond, 39 after he was pulled from the Patapsco River just across the Baltimore County line.
Sgt. Hermond was last seen around 5:20 p.m. Sunday near the La Palapa restaurant on Main Street in Ellicott City. Kate Bowman and her cat were in her shop, Clipper’s Canine Cafe, when she attempted to escape the waist-high water. Hermond spotted Kate and tried to help.
In an interview with the Baltimore Sun, Kate stated the rescue had nothing to do with her cat
“I could barely see anything and I could barely hear anything. He stepped over the ledge to try to get to me, and he was washed away. He was trying to save me. He’s a hero.”
Hermond was assigned to Camp Pretterd in Reistertown and had served with the Maryland Army National Guard since 2009 after more than a decade in the U.S. Air Force after enlisting in 1996.
Officials searched the area beginning shortly after midnight Monday morning but couldn’t locate him. Search and rescue dogs combed the building and vehicles but were unsuccessful.
One of Hermond’s friends, Beth Czyryca, told news media he was one of the nicest people in the world and he always had a smile on his face. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan took to Twitter today saying there are no words to describe the loss of this great man.
Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Hermond. He was a hero who died serving his community. Please keep all of those who are experiencing natural disasters in your thoughts and prayers that they remain safe.
Both sources below contain more information about Sgt. Hermond and the Maryland floods.
Source 1
Source 2
Jane, Why do you think Kate Bowman would receive a lot of grief due to the mention of the cat during the rescue? Just
trying to understand your comment.
What odd things are you referring to?
I wonder if Kate Bowman has received a lot of grief due to the mention of the cat during the rescue?
This strikes me as a bit out of place “Kate stated the rescue had nothing to do with her cat”
Grief and shock do odd things to people.
Your comment has been amended – well deleted actually. The reason are as stated in your amended comment. Stay away from this site. You are unwanted.
Speaking as a veteran, I find it highly insulting when white American weeble-wobbles thoughtlessly mutter “thank you for your service”. I once wrote an editorial in my local paper saying why. This has nothing to do with cats….
(the remainder has been deleted because it was (1) off topic and (2) it defamed Michael Broad.)
Sgt. Eddison Hermond will be greatly blessed. My heart goes out to him and his family. He was obviously a very brave and compassionate person.
Very sad to lose another hero.