A family outing at Barking Sands on Kauai ended in tragedy when a Navy father gave his life to save his 9-year-old son from the waves. Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz was stationed at Kauai’s Pacific Missile Range Facility with his family when the incident occurred this past Saturday. According to Hawaii News Now, Diaz passed away one day before his 48th birthday after trying to rescue his son, Kamden, from a powerful current that had overtaken him at Waiapuaʻa Bay.
Upon seeing his child in distress, Diaz immediately went to his aid. "My son said, ‘Mom, I wanted to go and help dad, but I was scared I was gonna drown so I just kept swimming,'" Keyonna Fairley, Diaz’s life partner of 18 years, recounted in a painful interview with Hawaii News Now. The couple had three young children together, and Fairley is also now left mourning the loss of Diaz who was a father to two older children and a grandfather.
Diaz, described by those who knew him as a man who deeply loved his family, managed to get hold of Kamden despite his fading strength, encouraging his son with his final words. "At one point, Jeff just took Kamden off his back and said, ‘Okay, Kam, I’m going to get you, I have to get you off my back because I’m going to drown.’ And he said, ‘You got this, I love you, don’t give up,'" Fairley shared with KHON2 in an emotional recollection. Diaz ultimately drowned after making sure his son was headed toward the safety of the shore.
As the family grieves, Fairley remembers Diaz's commitment to both his family and his country. "If you ask anybody that knew Jeff, they would say that he just wanted to be with his family. Retire, walk his kids to school, and grill," she told Hawaii News Now. Friends and loved ones have extended support to Fairley and her children, as they navigate through this difficult time. Keith Wilson, a family friend spoke about Diaz's character: "To know Jeff is to love him," and "He’s the man you’d want your daughter to bring home," he stated, as mentioned by KHON2. The community and military personnel around have rallied in support of the family, offering condolences and assistance as they plan the funeral for the admired sailor and father.
