LDWF Sgt. Stephen Rhodes receives the Carnegie Medal for Heroism from Gov John Bel Edwards on December 8, 2023.
A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent receives North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism, the Carnegie Medal. In 2022 Sergeant Stephen Rhodes saved nine people including a seven-year-old girl when their boat capsized. He said he didn’t hesitate, removed his gear, and jumped in the water.
“And it was murky, you couldn’t see. I was working all by feel. Pulled her free from underneath the boat. When I got her free, she was not breathing, her eyes were opened and fixed,” said Rhodes.
And after two rounds of CPR, Rhodes said she began to show signs of life. The young girl was airlifted to a New Orleans hospital and made a full recovery.
Rhodes said he began May 7, 2022, on a boat patrol in Golden Meadow when he received a call about a possible shrimp violation on Grand Isle. He was nearby writing up a ticket when the boat flipped.
“It was a lot of coincidence and just absolutely being in the right place at the right time,” said Rhodes.
Sixteen individuals have been honored with the Carnegie Medal this year and more than 10,000 since its inception in 1904. As a first responder, Rhodes said he doesn’t necessarily like the title hero.
“Everybody has a moment if you do this kind of job, where you’re responsible for saving a life, in some form or fashion. It’s almost inescapable,” said Rhodes.
Rhodes, a 16-year veteran of LDWF, who lives in Houma was nominated for the award by his mother and presented with the honor by Governor John Bel Edwards.
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