Newport Beach Lifeguard Ben Carlson Immortalized with Statue for Ultimate Sacrifice

Newport Beach, CA — Lifeguard Ben Carlson gave all on July 6, 2014 when he drowned attempting to rescue a swimmer.

With waves in excess of 12 feet, a large swell and rough conditions saw a swimmer struggling south of Newport Pier. According to reports, Carlson gave the struggling swimmer his buoy who was saved from the next crushing wave, but the lifeguard was drowned.

Carlson was the first death in the line of duty in the 100-year history of the Newport Beach Lifeguard Department, according to reports.

"The Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Foundation was formed to do positive work in Ben's memory," a release stated. "Thanks to generous donations and the support of the community, a 9-foot tall statue of Ben will stand in McFadden Square, just steps away from the Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters."

The statue honors the lifeguard, and it is hoped that it will also promote ocean water safety. It weighs nearly a ton and is made of 316 marine grade stainless steel.

"The concept behind the design was to create a stoic and iconic figure overlooking the water that Ben so proudly protected for 15 years," the foundation said on its website. "(The statue) will also serve as a symbol of respect to lifeguards everywhere. We hope that this statue will forever be a reminder of the respect that the ocean ahead deserves."

The monumental idea to design, produce and install a larger-than-life size statue of the Newport Beach fallen hero would ensure that Carlson's legacy lives on, according to the foundation. The statue, conceived by Jake Janz, a Newport Beach artist, is a donation to the city of Newport Beach and has been privately funded by the BCMSF, as well as support from the community.

Foundation members, donors, Newport Beach city officials, lifeguards and community members will gather in McFadden Square to celebrate the statue's unveiling and remember Ben's life, according to Tara Finnigan, the City of Newport Beach assistant to the city manager.

The ceremony will run from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Photo by Tom Cozad, Courtesy Ben Carlson Foundation