What began as a quick trip to grab tacos turned into a day the Williams family will never forget. 

“It started off just like any other day,” recalled Brandon Kerrington Williams, thinking back to May 27, 2025. “We were hanging out, about to get some tacos, when my middle son ran up to me yelling, ‘Dad, Dad, Brandon’s in the ocean!’” 

When he looked toward the water, Williams saw his 17-year-old son, Brandon Williams, nearly 125 yards from shore—charging through the waves toward a man struggling to stay afloat. 

“I could see him out there, and I knew he didn’t even know how to swim,” his father said. “But he wasn’t thinking about that—he just saw someone in trouble and went.” 

Without hesitation, both father and son went into the water. Together, they reached the man, pulled him to shore, and immediately called 911. They checked his breathing and quickly rolled him onto his side when he began to vomit to prevent choking. 

Moments later, the man lost consciousness—but thanks to their quick actions and the timely arrival of Officer Owens, who assisted at the scene, he was stabilized and transported to the hospital. The victim ultimately survived and is expected to make a full recovery. 

For their extraordinary courage and selfless action, Brandon Williams and his father, Brandon Kerrington Williams, are being honored with the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. This national recognition is presented to individuals who step up in an emergency to save or sustain a life—whether or not they have received Red Cross training. 

“When you see someone in danger, you don’t think—you just act,” said Williams. “That moment changed everything for us. We thank God we were there.  

Now, both father and son say learning to swim is high on their list, determined to be even more prepared should they ever find themselves in a similar situation. 

Their bravery stands as a powerful reminder of the Red Cross mission: to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. The Williams family’s heroism reflects the very best of what it means to act with compassion, courage, and humanity when it matters most.