Overview
- Kaua‘i police identified the sailor as Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz, 47, who reported to the Pacific Missile Range Facility in October after enlisting in 1997.
- Diaz entered the water at Waiapua‘a Bay on Saturday to aid two children in distress, and the children reached shore safely as he ran into trouble.
- Ocean Safety and Barking Sands fire crews pulled him from the surf, initiated lifesaving care, and took him to Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
- PMRF commanding officer Capt. Robert Prince offered condolences, thanked responders, and said support is being provided to Diaz’s family and shipmates.
- Police said an autopsy is pending with no foul play suspected, and county officials urged caution as rough surf has recently contributed to multiple deaths on Kaua‘i.