Body of National Guardsman found two days after he went missing as he attempted to rescue Maryland woman and her cat

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.

“He was trying to save me, He’s a hero.”

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

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Comments

Body of National Guardsman found two days after he went missing as he attempted to rescue Maryland woman and her cat — 11 Comments

Elisa on May 30, 2018 at 6:35 pm said:
Anytime an animal is rescued during a natural disaster it tends to make the news. While it may be a bit poor form it also shows how many animal lovers are out there. A lot of times the mention of an animal story coming up on the news may determine which news channel a person will watch that day.
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- Jane Carter on May 31, 2018 at 2:01 am said:
  It is sad that we are compelled by peers not to express our real concern. My enquiries about such things is to ask how both are now doing, then ask… “so glad (insert human name here) is ok, what a relief, how did the puss do?”
  If society didn’t insist on where we placed our concern or whom we helped first, I think rather more of those in need, be they human or animal would get the help they needed.
  Pipe dreams!
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Jane Carter on May 30, 2018 at 6:35 am said:
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.
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- Sandra Murphey on May 30, 2018 at 3:10 pm said:
  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?
  Reply ↓
  - Jane Carter on May 30, 2018 at 6:22 pm said:
    Crikey Sandra, that sounds like an invite to a therapy session.
    Not sure of your location Sandra, but certainly within the UK, to express concern for a cat when any human may be or has been in peril, is often seen as very poor form. All to do with the general status of cats within our culture, fairly low for a supposed animal loving country.
    Odd things? The oddest and then some. To list all the changes grief can affect about a person would be both impossible and futile.
    Grieving folk can sometimes come out with inappropriate statements and sometimes exhibit unusual behaviours. You know just the sort of
    thing I am sure!
    Reply ↓
Frances A Danna on May 30, 2018 at 2:28 am said:
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.
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Sandra Murphey on May 29, 2018 at 9:25 pm said:
Very sad to lose another hero.
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- Lachesis on May 30, 2018 at 3:11 am said:
  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.)
  Reply ↓
  - Michael Broad on May 30, 2018 at 3:22 am said:
    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.
    Reply ↓
    - Ashton J. on June 1, 2018 at 3:14 pm said:
      We’ll all remember that when you want someone else to take up a gun and risk their own life to save yours. Don’t be surprised when those people who will do so now just sit by and laugh as you get shot to death. Justly deserved. Your life is now filed under: “Not worth saving.”
      You sure are racking up the waste-of-human-flesh points, aren’t you.
      Reply ↓
      - Michael Broad on June 1, 2018 at 4:56 pm said:
        Well, you are a stupid troll and cat hater. I’d say your life is worth less than mine. Banned.
        Reply ↓