Walcott honored for rescuing family at Ocean City beach
Editor’s note: The Sentinel had an article about Brandon Walcott’s rescue of a family in an article in July. It is available online at ocnjsentinel.com.
PETERSBURG — “Rotary’s motto is ‘service above self,’ and it is that motto that brings us here this evening to honor our selected Rotary 2024 Upper Township Citizen of the Year Brandon D. Walcott,” Selection Committee Chairman Ralph Cooper told the crowd Nov. 25 outside Township Hall.
Cooper shared a story of “Brandon’s quick and successful actions this past summer that personifies the Rotary motto.”
A local attorney who contributes monthly to the Local Lifestyles section of the Sentinel, Walcott was enjoying some time on the beach the evening of July 19 with his wife when he spotted a family struggling in the ocean and launched into action to save them.
Tom Stevens, who was on the beach with his wife, witnessed the events.
“A woman and her three children were caught in a riptide and taken straight out to the ocean. Brandon jumped in and saved the youngest boy first, who was approximately 20 yards out in the ocean, then jumped right back in and saved the remaining people, bringing all back to shore safely,” he wrote in an email to the Sentinel, noting the remaining three were about 30 to 40 yards out screaming for help.
“Everyone on 37th Street beach last night honestly was in awe of Brandon. Those people surely would have died had Brandon not jumped in,”Stevens wrote.
“It was a scary situation,” Walcott told the Sentinel at the time, noting the children ranged in age from about 5 to 17 and the woman was in her 40s or 50s. “I saw the youngest boy go under water, jumped in, got him out and went right back in for the remaining three.”
“There are occasions when people happen to be at the right place to make a major difference in the lives of others,” Cooper said.
Cooper said Walcott had declined to participate in local recognition events until the club approached him about its award, noting that he has been nominated by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission to receive the Carnegie Medal, awarded to civilians who risk death or serious physical injury to save the lives of others.
“The message of this story, and our Rotary recognition of Brandon, demonstrates how an individual with the necessary skill set, a high level of situational awareness and a selfless commitment to help others can make a major difference in a moment of high danger,” Cooper said.
Township Committee also issued a proclamation honoring Walcott “for his incredible act of heroism and selfless courage when he rescued a family that was caught in a riptide.”
“We extend to Brandon Walcott congratulations on being named the Ocean City-Upper Township Rotary Club’s 2024 Upper Township Citizen of the Year and express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for his courage, heroism and genuine compassion for the welfare of others,” it states.
At top, The Rotary Club of Ocean City – Upper Township named Brandon D. Walcott its Upper Township Citizen of the Year. His ocean water rescue resulted in preventing the deaths of four visitors to the Ocean City beach. He is pictured with his father and mother, David Walcott and Jennifer Scott; wife Gillian and children Grant and Madeline; and Ralph Cooper, with the Rotary Club. The presentation during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Township Hall Nov. 25. (Photo by Larry Cole, Upper Township Recreation)
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff