NORFOLK — The City of Norfolk's chief lifeguard, Dan Jones, has performed over 1,000 water rescues throughout his career. Now, he is being recognized as a News 3 Everyday Hero.
"This is much appreciated and very humbling," Jones said.
Jones' journey began decades ago when he was a 19-year-old lifeguard in Yorktown. He later worked in Newport News, where he helped pull a child from a capsized boat, saving the boy's life.
"[I] get pretty choked up thinking about that one. I called my brother and just cried after all that," Jones said.
A 2022 rescue of Alvin Allen in Ocean View also stays with him. Jones recalled it was a long paddle, about 400 yards out, and he prayed he would be able to get to Allen.
"When I got there, there was a lady, and she was screaming that her husband was floating out," Jones said.
Allen's wife, Tamika, remembered what Jones told her before jumping in the water.
"He said I'm going to the water to go get him. I said are you going to bring him back? He said I'm going to bring him back. He said watch me," said Tamika. "He didn't stop. He didn't look back. He swam until he got my husband."
"He told me to just kick a little bit. Help him out. Kick my legs. Whatever I can," Alvin said.
The rescue created a lasting bond between Jones and the Allen family.
"How can we not have Dan as a piece of our life from this point on?" Tamika said.
"We're pretty much family with them now, or at least I am," Jones said.
Jones' efforts have earned him the American Red Cross Coastal Chapter Hero Award and a National Lifesaving Award from the American Red Cross. Now, he is adding the 'Everyday Hero' award to his collection.
News 3's community partner Southern Bank celebrated Jones with a $425 gift card.
"That's a lot of lunches for my coworkers," Jones said.
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