Mississippi Teen Honored By City For Saving Three People And Police Officer From River

On Tuesday, Mayor Billy Knight and the Board of Alderman presented Evans with Certificates of Commendation.

We commend Mr. Evans’ bravery and selflessness he displayed by risking his own safety to help people in danger,” Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley said in a statement. “If Mr. Evans had not assisted, the situation could have turned out differently, instead of all occupants being rescued safely.”

Evans rescued three teenage girls and a police officer from drowning.

Around 2:30 a.m. on July 3, the three girls had driven into the river. Evans jumped into the water after seeing a car sink about 20 feet with three girls inside.

“I was just like, ‘I can’t let none of these folks die. They need to get out the water,’” he told WLOX. “So, I just started getting them. I wasn’t even thinking about nothing else. I was behind them trying to keep them above water and swim with them at the same time.

Evans said that Moss Point Police Officer Gary Mercer and his friend Karon “KJ” Bradley helped him. Evans noticed Mercer start to struggle in the water at one point as they were performing their rescue.

I turned around. I see the police officer. He’s drowning. He’s going underwater, drowning, saying, ‘Help!'” the teen said. “So, I went over there. I went and I grabbed the police officer and I’m like swimming him back until I feel myself I can walk […] My legs were so tired after. Anything could’ve been in that water, though. But I wasn’t thinking about it.”

Chief Ashley also noted that the three girls and the police officer are recovering well. Ashley said Evans was “heroic” and respected his bravery.

“I believe that if he did not decide to risk his own safety, it may have turned into an … unimaginable tragedy,” he wrote in an email statement. “but we are all grateful for Mr. Evans’ selflessness and bravery he displayed by helping rescue the people stranded in the river.”

Cora Watson was inside the drowning car, and shared a photo of Evans thanking him on Facebook for saving her life.

“This man right here saved my life right before my last breath,” she said. “I’m so thankful for him.”

Enamored with her son’s heroism, Evan’s mother, Marquita, shared a touching message on Facebook.

“My hero,” she wrote. “My son saved 4 lives last night while risking his own life… (that’s) four times he went in that water fighting to save those individuals … (I’m) so proud of you, son, for not giving up and saving lives!”

Evan and his mother have not said anything further about the matter.