7 Things To Know About Sergeant Eddison Hermond

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — The man who died in the Ellicott City flood is being hailed as a hero. Sgt. Eddison Alexander Hermond, 39, of Severn, was trying to help someone in distress when he was swept away by the fast-moving waters. Here is some insight into the Maryland soldier.

He was a member of the National Guard and was an Air Force veteran. Hermond began his career in the Air Force, serving for more than a decade.

He joined the Army National Guard in 2009 and was assigned to the training detachment at Camp Frettard, a military reservation in Reisterstown, where he was on active duty.

At the start of Memorial Day weekend, Hermond encouraged people to remember: "We're free because people gave their lives to live this way." It was his last Facebook post.

He was well known in the Howard County restaurant community. Hermond had worked at Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia since it opened in 2007. After the owners opened Manor Hill Tavern in Ellicott City, he worked as a manager there in 2017.

He also frequented La Palapa, a Mexican restaurant where he was the day of the flood celebrating a friend's birthday. The owner of La Palapa described Hermond as a "super nice guy," according to NBC.

He was a fan of Superman. Eddison Hermond did not like his nickname, "Eddie," a friend shared with The Washington Post, but he did not tell people until it had already stuck. Since he went missing, some have called him "Superman," noting his fondness for the character and Hermond's final act of heroism.

Close friend of Eddison Hermond telling @WJZDevin his friend was “always jovial, joking, fun to be around.”

Often dressed in Superman gear. Anyone that knew him describe him as the real deal. pic.twitter.com/dxhSfCQ1bX
— George Solis (@GeorgeSolisWJZ) May 29, 2018

He died a hero. Hermond was helping a woman in distress when he was swept away by the flood waters.

Kate Bowman, 41, who owns Clipper's Canine Cafe, was working in her shop, located behind La Palapa, when she saw the flood waters blocking her door. Her boyfriend had gone out to get sandbags around 4 p.m. when they saw the rain begin, and he was unable to get back to the store due to the flash flood, according to The Washington Post.

Bowman put her cat, Chubbs, into a carrier and they climbed out through the first-floor window, she said.

"I was unable to open the doors because the water was too high," Bowman told Patch. "Nobody outside knew I was in the store at all until I jumped out the window with Chubbs. I got out of the window by myself."

Bowman was up to her waist in the flood when she saw a group of people outside La Palapa, including the man she later learned was Hermond, telling her to stay where she was, she recounted to The Washington Post. Then he stepped off a ledge into the raging waters, and the last time she saw him, he was going under a small bridge along the Tiber River.

"La Palapa is above my business," she told Patch. "Eddie and I were on opposite sides of the Tiber when he was washed away."

Despite police reporting that Hermond was attempting to save a woman's cat, she said: "He was trying to save me."

Hermond is 6 feet tall, 160 pounds with an athletic build, according to friends, who said it was not surprising that he laid down his life to assist someone else.

"When I heard what happened, I just knew as soldiers, we just react. We don't think, and at that time, he reacted. It wasn't about the water. He knew somebody needed help, and he knew he would be the one to go out there and give it his best," Staff Sgt. Shawn Gates told WBAL.

The leader of the Maryland National Guard agreed.

"Sgt. Eddison Hermond, 39, of Severn, Md., exemplified selfless service by trying to save the life of woman during flooding on Sunday," Major General Linda Singh of the Maryland National Guard said in a statement Wednesday. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hermond family and his son during this most difficult time. The loss of one of our own is always very difficult, and little can be said to ease the pain, but we must remember Sgt. Hermond’s dedication to our nation and state and honor his service."

Vice President Mike Pence called Hermond "brave" in a message of condolence Tuesday to his family.

Just spoke with @GovLarryHogan about the terrible flooding in Ellicott City and the loss of Eddison Hermond. @FEMA is on site & at @POTUS’ direction, we will continue to provide support for families and businesses throughout the affected area. We are with you.
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) May 29, 2018

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered flags lowered to half-staff in his honor.

His body was found in Baltimore County more than 40 hours after he disappeared. Hermond was last seen at 5:20 p.m. in the area of Parking Lot D in Ellicott City, one of several lots behind shops on the historic Main Street. Human, canine and technological resources were deployed in the search for him, officials said.

His body was found on the side of the river in Baltimore County, which borders Ellicott City, before noon on Tuesday, May 30.

Officials in Baltimore County salute as the body of National Guard Sgt. Eddison Hermond is escorted away >> https://t.co/lrUETaRQxN

Video courtesy Greg Garland pic.twitter.com/cRpQAlHfOZ
— WBAL Baltimore News (@wbaltv11) May 29, 2018

There was a false report he was found. Family members were informed by a pastor that Hermond had been found alive, according to The Washington Post, which said they later learned it was a homeless man and not their loved one. There was also a report that Hermond was trying to save a woman's cat when he was overtaken by the flood, while later reports indicated he was trying to save the woman, who had a cat with her.

UPDATE: Just spoke with the mother of Kate Bowman who Eddison attempted to save. In short, she was very upset over the misinformation that Eddie was attempting to save a cat. She says he was hero trying to save her daughter who was at the time in serious danger. Very emotional.
— George Solis (@GeorgeSolisWJZ) May 29, 2018

RELATED: Body Found Was Missing National Guardsman

There are several ways to honor him. There is a "hope altar" set up at the corner of Oella Avenue and the bridge over Main Street. It was set up before he was found as "a place to come leave and share your love for Eddie Hermond, who was swept away in the Ellicott City flood this weekend," organizers said, adding: "Light from above, light from below, face the river and call him back home. Please bring your wishes to the garden at the corner of Oella Ave and the Patapsco River Main Street bridge."

A quiet remembrance of #EddisonHermond sits near the Patapsco River on the day his body was found #EllicottCity #hero pic.twitter.com/RwRzk14euG
— Debra Alfarone (@DebraAlfarone) May 29, 2018

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to benefit his family. According to WJZ, Hermond is survived by his mother and teenage son. In one day, the online fundraiser has exceeded its goal of $30,000.

I'm pretty sure i'm the coolest dude i know.
— Eddison Hermond (@EHermond) July 1, 2012

Photo of Sgt. Eddison Hermond courtesy of GoFundMe, a Patch partner. Picture of Hermond in uniform courtesy of the Howard County Police Department.