Waterfall Rescue Gets Cobb Firefighter National Honor

MARIETTA, GA — A Cobb County firefighter who rescued a teen washed down a waterfall in a harrowing helicopter operation has been awarded a national honor that remembers 9/11 responders for his bravery.

Ralph A. "Rusty" Brown II, a member of Cobb County’s Technical Rescue Team, received FDIC International's Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award Wednesday at the agency's annual convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

On Oct. 10, 2017, Brown was called to High Falls State Park in Monroe County where two brothers, ages 17 and 12, had been washed over the top of a waterfall, falling as far as 25 feet onto a bunch of rocks. The 12 year old was killed in the tragic accident, but bystanders found the 17 year old standing at the bottom of the waterfall and called 911.

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As Capt. Greg Mercier piloted a helicopter, Brown found the waterfall larger and more turbulent than expected and rescuers realized he could not bring a flotation device with him because it would cause him to be washed away.

He was secured to the helicopter with a 100-foot rope and lowered to the victim, who was standing in an eddy beneath the waterfall. But the strong waters started washing Brown away from the boy. After being washed out into the fall's recirculation pool, he and the victim were able to wrap a strap around themselves.

But that caused Brown to get washed downstream again, this time weighed down by the victim's weight as well. When the helicopter started lifting them up, the rope got wrapped around Brown's neck and body. He was able to get it off of his neck, but not his torso.

Ultimately, Brown was hauled up feet-first, carrying the victim with him. At one point during the lift, his head was beneath water. But, finally, they were dropped safely on a nearby bridge.

"Firefighter Brown went above and beyond the call of duty," the FDIC said. "He was picked for a mission that was unknown until his arrival. For this, he was unanimously picked by the Courage and Valor Foundation Selection Committee as the recipient of the 2018 Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award."

The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award pays tribute to the memory of firefighters who were lost in the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001. It memorializes Fire Department of New York Deputy Chief Ray Downey, who FDIC calls "one of the greatest fire service leaders of our time."

For winning the award, Brown will receive a medal and a check for $35,000.

Photos courtesy FDIC