Yuma Man Posthumously Receives Carnegie Medal for Colorado River Rescue

During a family outing on the Colorado River near Martinez Lake on July 5, 2025, a 10-year-old boy entered deeper water from a nearby submerged sandbar and struggled to swim. When the boy's 12-year-old brother went in after him, Jeff Brady immediately jumped in to help. Brady, 51, never came back out.

Jeffery Edward Brady, who had moved to Arizona just before his death, was recognized for saving his girlfriend's 10-year-old and 12-year-old nephews from the Colorado River after the boys were swept away by the current. Each individual will receive the Carnegie Medal, North America's highest honor for civilian heroism. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission announced the honor on March 24, 2026, recognizing 18 people with the Carnegie Medal for Heroism.

"He was underwater like a statue standing straight up with one boy in each arm holding them above the water," Greg Brady said of his twin brother. Brady entered the water to retrieve the boys and kept them above water until a boat approached and the children were safely pulled out of the river, the Yuma County Sheriff's Office said last year. Brady was unable to stay afloat himself and submerged, according to the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.

Greg Brady, who was also in the water during the rescue, described the frantic final moments. "Pulled the boys off, and hooked Jeff under the arm, looked him in eyes, and said, 'Don't you drown. Float! Swim!'" Greg Brady said. Greg and several others helped get the boys into a passing boat, but Jeff was swept away. His body was discovered about seven hours later.

Brady had recently moved to Arizona to care for his 84-year-old blind father after a life rooted in El Cajon, California. A former MMA fighter, Brady worked for several professional leagues, helping with marketing and mentoring. The MMA world rallied to support his family, remembering him for his big heart. The Professional Fighters League contributed $20,000, while UFC CEO Dana White donated $10,000.

"He's always been a protector," Greg Brady said. "He'd never hesitate to help anybody ever, and there was no hesitation in going out there."

An online obituary dedicated to Brady states that he was born and raised in San Diego County and "was a man known for his strength, warmth, and unwavering loyalty to those he loved." The obituary continues: "Jeff's final act was one of pure selflessness and courage. He gave his life so that others could live, becoming a true guardian angel in the process."

The award includes a $7,500 stipend, and family members hope to use a portion to fund scholarships in his name. With this announcement, the Carnegie Medal has been awarded to 10,563 individuals since the inception of the Pittsburgh-based Fund in 1904.

"It's not my place to define what a hero is, but I feel that absolutely what he did was heroic and that he's a hero," Greg Brady said.