WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HEROISM AWARD … recognizes an individual (or group of individuals) from the State of Texas who has demonstrated exceptional courage and bravery in the performance of a single act of heroic behavior involving the water environment industry.
Rodney Sanders On April 10, 2021, Josh Graham and his two sons were swimming at Surfside Beach in Brazoria County when they began to struggle in the water. Josh saved his children from the strong riptide, but he struggled to save himself.
shore. Rodney and others performed CPR until an ambulance arrived to transport Josh to the hospital. Sadly, Josh did not survive.
Rodney Sanders, a wastewater operator at the City of Sugar Land, was also in the area with his family. When Rodney saw Josh struggling, he took off into the water to try to save him. Rodney was just one of the people in the area who wanted to help. The current was so strong that it took several minutes for him to reach Josh.
Rodney risked his life to save another. Since the incident, Rodney has tried to bring more awareness to the risk of rip currents. He and Mike are actively working with the Rescue Tube Foundation in Hawaii to bring rescue tubes to Surfside Beach and other beaches around the country that do not have lifeguards on staff. Rodney and Mike are trying to turn the tragedy into something positive for Texans and their safety around bodies of water.
Josh was unresponsive when Rodney reached him. Another person brought a surfboard out, and they lifted Josh on it. Rodney tried to start compressions right away, but the tide’s strong current made the task very difficult. He and Mike Lampson, another person trying to help save Josh, decided to link up arms and get Josh to the
Both Rodney and Mike received training in survival swimming in the military. Thank you, Rodney, for your heroic efforts that day and your continued focus on awareness of rip currents and actively bringing rescue tubes to beaches. You are truly deserving of the WEAT Medal of Honor for Heroism Award.
Texas Section American Water Works Association Competitions • • • • • •
Junior Meter Challenge (Tuesday) Meter Challenge (Tuesday) Pipe Tapping (Wednesday) Top Ops (Wednesday) Best Tasting Drinking Water (Wednesday) Hydrant Hysteria (Wednesday)
The above awards are presented at the competition location following each competition. 10
Texas WaterTM 2022 Awards Program
