News

Detroit firefighter dies while trying to save three girls from drowning

A 48-year-old Detroit fire sergeant is being remembered as a hero after losing his life while trying to save a group of girls from drowning.

Published

4 years ago

August 26, 2020

Unheard Voices Staff

Detroit Firefighter Sivad Johnson Dies While Trying To Save Three Girls From Drowning

Sivad Johnson (Photo: Detroit Fire Department)

Detroit Firefighter Sivad Johnson is being remembered as a hero after losing his life last week while trying to save a group of girls from drowning.

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Sivad Johnson is a hero

Sgt. Sivad Johnson, 48, was visiting Detroit River with his 10-year-old daughter when he and several others heard a group of girls in distress, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Johnson went into the water to help the group of girls. Johnson’s daughter phoned 911 a short time later when her father didn’t return to shore.

Johnson’s body was recovered on Saturday morning by divers from the Detroit Police Department and Detroit Fire Department.

“He was my idol,” Jamal Johnson, Johnson’s brother, told local outlet WDIV. “He was always a hero to me.”

According to CNN, three girls were in the river at the time of the incident. Two were saved by a boat that was nearby, while another bystander in the area rescued the third girl.

“He and two other civilians heard either one child or up to three children struggling in the water,” Detroit Fire Department Executive Fire Commissioner Eric Jones told WDIV.

“Sgt. Johnson, along with other civilians, entered the water to make a rescue of the children.”

Johnson,a father of two, was a 26-year veteran of Detroit Fire and received the Medal of Valor in 2017.

“I love him and I just want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart,” Jamal Johnson told WDIV. ”

We just want to ask everybody for your continued prayers. I’m speechless.”

How to help

A GoFundMe has been set up for Johnson’s family. Dozens of donors left heartfelt messages on the donation page in memory of the fallen firefighter, with many calling him a “true hero.”

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News

5-year-old helps save his family from house fire

5-year-old Juwan Perry Jr. is being held a hero after saving his family from a house fire. Juwan’s mom says if it wasn’t for her son they likely wouldn’t have survived.

Published

6 months ago

April 27, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

5-year-old saves family from fire in Warren Michigan

Brittany Lee hugs her son Juwan (Photo Source: WXYZ-TV/CBS Detroit)

5-year-old Juwan Perry Jr is being held a hero after alerting his mother to a house fire, saving his family lives.

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5-year-old saves family

On Apr. 5th around 4:40 am, Juwan woke up to the smell of smoke in his home in Warren, Michigan.

He said he saw flames and called for his mother.

His screams came just in time, and his mom Brittany was able to get all seven of the children in the home outside to safety.

Juwan’s mom says if it wasn’t for her son they likely wouldn’t have survived.

As for Juwan, he told WXYZ-TV his motivation for helping save his family despite the fear. “Because I love everybody,” he said.

The Warren Fire Department got the fire under control but the home is a total loss.

To help in recovering from this devastating loss, a GoFundMe has been launched to support them during this challenging time.

News

Magnitude 4.8 earthquake strikes northeastern United States

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake in Lebanon, New Jersey shook the northeastern United States on Friday morning.

Published

7 months ago

April 5, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake shook the northeastern United States on Friday morning.

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Magnitude 4.8 earthquake

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake was detected near Lebanon, New Jersey, at 10:23 a.m. Friday.

The earthquake was felt in New Hampshire down to Maryland.

Notable event

According to the Richter scale, which is used to measure earthquake magnitude, they considered the event a “light” earthquake. Still, the geological survey posted on X that it was “notable.” They went on further to say earthquakes are “uncommon but not unheard of along the Atlantic Coast”.

It’s not yet clear if anyone was hurt in Friday’s quake.

News

9-year-old cancer survivor killed in tragic school bus accident

A family is in mourning after a 9-year-old cancer survivor was tragically killed in an accident in Orlando.

Published

10 months ago

January 19, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

9-year-old cancer survivor killed by school bus Elyas Amyr Marshall-Rodriguez

Elyas Amyr Marshall-Rodriguez (Photo Source: GoFundMe)

A family is in mourning after a 9-year-old cancer survivor was tragically killed in an accident in Orlando, Florida.

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9-year-old cancer survivor tragically killed

Elyas Amyr Marshall-Rodriguez got off the bus Tuesday afternoon and, as he was walking away from the bus, he dropped his football when he crawled under the bus to get it and the vehicle began moving.

Marshall-Rodriguez was in remission for leukemia when he was killed on Tuesday after being diagnosed at 2-years-old, according to his family who spoke at his vigil.