On Saturday, Bishop Evans, the 22-year-old Texas National Guardsman, was laid to rest. His body was found on Monday, as Katie reported, after a four day search. Evans had saved two illegal immigrants who appeared to be drowning in the Rio Grande and were calling for help. They were reportedly involved in drug trafficking. While the drug traffickers survived and are in custody, Evans was swept away by the river’s strong currents.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) was in attendance for the funeral, Kennedi Walker reported for CBS News DFW. “At the funeral service Evans was promoted from Specialist to Sergeant and was presented the award of the Lone Star Medal of Valor for his sacrifice and bravery,” Walker also wrote.
Reporting from FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth is full of sentiments shared by those close to Evans, including his stepfather, Michael Burnett:
Evans’ stepfather and mother said he always put others before himself.
“But I wasn’t surprised what he did. I wasn’t surprised at all,” Michael said.
“He never met someone who wasn’t his friend, and if you weren’t his friend, you would be by the time you got done,” Evans’ mother said.
As hundreds gathered to remember Evans, they wiped away tears knowing their son’s act of courage highlights exactly who he was.
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) tweeted coverage from Fox News that Evans was being laid to rest. He has tweeted well-wishes about Evans throughout the ordeal since the young man first went missing last Friday.