If you’re going to be anywhere near water, it would be a great idea to bring Eagle Scout Jesse Jordan with you.
In the past three years, Jordan, 16, a Durant High School rising senior and member of Plant City-based Boy Scout Troop 14, has saved three people from drowning — on two separate occasions.
When he was 13, he rescued a Gabriella White, an 18-month-old toddler who had fallen into the swimming pool during a Mother’s Day celebration in 2009. Then last September, Jordan saved two men who were caught in a deep-water current in Tampa Bay.
For his heroics, Jordan, an Eagle Scout, received the Honor Medal, the second-highest honor in Boy Scouts, as well as a proclamation from Plant City Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis during the Plant City Commission’s June 24 meeting. Jordan’s parents, Denise and Doug, his sister, Haley, 14, and members of his scout troop were present to help him celebrate.
A lifelong scout, Jordan took to the water early, experiencing the swimming pool for the first time at just 9 months old. He began taking lessons at 2 and now works as a lifeguard for the YMCA, in Brandon.
Jordan said his scout experience, combined with his talent as a swimmer, helped him during both incidents. On May 10, 2009, he was the only person who saw Gabriella fall into the pool while reaching for a beach ball and dived in quickly to save her. At that time, Jordan received the Certificate of Merit from the Boy Scouts’ Gulf Ridge Council.
Then on Sept. 2, 2012, he was enjoying a boat trip on Tampa Bay near MacDill Air Force Base, when he heard screaming. Two men were struggling near a sandbar. They were unfamiliar with that part of the bay, and a strong current pushed them into deep water. One of the men was able to make it to safety on his own, but the second, needed immediate help.
“I heard, ‘Ayúdame!’” Jordan said. “And I knew that meant, ‘Help me!’ I saw some violent splashing, and I just yelled to my dad, ‘Throw me something to float,’ and I just took off.”
Jesse swam more than 100 meters to reach the man, who had been swept away in the current. He then swam another 50 meters to bring him to safety. The Honor Medal he received is reserved for scouts who exhibit “unusual heroism in saving or attempting to save life at considerable risk to self.”
“From my lifeguard training, I just knew someone needed help,” Jordan said. “This just such a great honor.”
Following high school, Jordan hopes to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He aspires to become a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, which develops and manages communication systems.
Troop 14 is based out of Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Plant City.
IN OTHER NEWS
• City commissioners approved amendments to the Public Safety Employees Pension Plan to diversify asset allocations. The allocation now includes domestic equity (36%); core bonds (29%); international equity (12%); convertible bonds (8%); private real estate (5%); high yield (5%); and infrastructure (5%).
• The commission authorized the use of a $15,177 grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to purchase six fingerprint scanners and software packages and four mobile printers for the Plant City Police Department. Police Chief Steve Singletary said the new technology will enable officers to be more efficient in the field.
• City Manager Greg Horwedel reported that Gov. Rick Scott signed into law S.B. 934, the stormwater management permits bill that will help the city move forward with the Midtown project.
