Chris Rushing, a Covington city employee, died after jumping into Bayou Lacombe to pull his young granddaughter from the water on July 1. Emergency crews pulled Rushing from the bayou and rushed him to a hospital, where he died a short while later. The loss has left family, co-workers and city officials mourning a man many are calling a hero.
Rescue attempt and emergency response
Deputies were called to Lake Road in Lacombe after witnesses said the child slipped into the water and began to struggle. Family members say Rushing immediately jumped in to help. Another woman reportedly pulled the child to safety while Rushing went under, and Lacombe Fire and Rescue crews pulled him from the bayou and began lifesaving measures before he was taken to an area hospital. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office said the body was turned over to the coroner and that an autopsy is pending. Authorities believe the death was likely an accidental drowning, according to WDSU.
Family fundraiser and tribute
Rushing's family has launched a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses, and the family wrote that "Christopher adored his grandbabies, and his love for them was endless," as reported by The Independent. The family said any additional proceeds may be used to set up a nonprofit in his name to continue the kind of community work he cared about. The fundraiser and an outpouring of messages online underscore how widely he was known across the Northshore.
Colleagues recall a 'quiet hero'
Colleagues and city officials said Rushing worked for Covington's Department of Cultural Arts & Events and had a hand in planning the city's July 4 festivities. "He felt like he needed to act in that moment," Councilman Jimmy Inman said, calling Rushing "the quiet, unassuming hero that we all think we can be," according to WAFB. City leaders said they plan to work with the family and staff to find a way to honor his contributions in the weeks ahead.
Autopsy pending, community response
The St. Tammany Sheriff's Office said an autopsy is underway to determine the exact cause of death, and investigators currently suspect an accidental drowning, per WDSU. Council members have also said they will coordinate with the city's cultural-arts staff to recognize Rushing's work at upcoming events. Neighbors have placed flowers and notes near the bayou as the family finalizes funeral arrangements.
Rushing's sacrifice has prompted condolences across St. Tammany Parish and renewed reminders about water safety as families gather for summer holidays. The family's GoFundMe remains the primary way the community is supporting them while officials await the coroner's findings.
