Body of sergeant found after flood
Main Street business owners, residents visit, assess flood damages Guardsman’s friends, stunned, say attempt at rescue was typical
Julia Sanger and her mother, Donna Sanger, carried a cash register, some kitchen linens and a few electronics in their laps as they returned Tuesday from the Park Ridge Trading Company gourmet kitchen shop they own in flood-ravaged Old Ellicott City.
It was all the Sangers could salvage in the 10 minutes they were given on an escorted trip into the historic Howard County town that remains closed off after being devastated by flash flooding Sunday for the second time in less than two years. County officials organized the quick visits Tuesday, offering shopkeepers and property owners, homeowners and apartment dwellers their first chance to access their properties and retrieve essentials.
On Tuesday, two days after slow-moving thunderstorms dumped 10 inches of rain in the steep-sided valley, overwhelming stream beds and sending torrents of water and debris down streets, the cleanup continued and the body of Sgt. Eddison A. Hermond, 39, a Maryland National Guardsman who was swept away while trying to help a Eddison A. Hermond was reported missing in Sunday’s flood. His body was found Tuesday in the Patapsco.
When a massive flood hit historic Ellicott City on Sunday, Sgt. Eddison “Eddie” A. Hermond rushed to help. Local shop owner Kate Bowman told The Baltimore Sun that Hermond tried to rescue her as the torrent gushed by — so loud she could barely hear.
The 39-year-old National Guardsman, an Air Force veteran, was washed away by the floodwaters. His body was found Tuesday morning in the Patapsco River, according to Howard County police. He had drifted to Catonsville along River Road, about a quarter-mile from Frederick Road.
Choking back sobs, friends say that it’s not surprising.
“It’s the most Eddie thing ever that just happened,” said Stephanie Williams of Seattle. She and her husband, Tariq, used to live with Hermond. She was devastated by his sudden death. She recalled a friend who idolized Superman — and was a bit of a superhero himself.
“I can totally believe that he put his life at risk for someone he didn’t know, in a town where he wasn’t
from, because that was home for him,” said Tariq Williams, who met Hermond 15 years ago while serving in the Air Force.
Everywhere Hermond went was home, he said. Everyone he met became family.
A spokesman for the Maryland National Guard, Col. Charles Kohler, said Hermond joined in 2009 and was assigned to Camp Fretterd in Reisterstown. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1996 and served more than a decade on active duty.
Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman said the entire county was indebted to Hermond for his sacrifice. “Make no doubt about it: Mr. Hermond is a hero who put the lives of others before his own,” Kittleman said. “He saw somebody in need. He didn’t think about himself. And went to bring aid. And we as a county will be forever grateful to him.”
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted his condolences and offered prayers for Hermond’s family Tuesday night.
“Saddened to learn of the loss of Maryland’s Eddison Hermond — the brave National Guardsman & Air Force veteran who lost his life rendering assistance to a neighbor. Eddison lived a life of service to his nation,” Pence tweeted. “God bless Eddison Hermond.”
Howard County Police Chief Gary Gardner said Hermond tried to cross the raging water flowing down Main Street to rescue a woman in need who was holding a cat.
Emergency crews and the National Guard draped Hermond’s body in the American flag as they removed him from the river, Howard County Fire Chief John S. Butler said. Gov. Larry Hogan ordered flags lowered to half-staff on Tuesday.
A woman who answered the door at the Severn home where Hermond lived declined to comment to a reporter Tuesday. His family issued a statement through the National Guard requesting respect for their privacy and thanking those who helped search for him.
As of Tuesday evening, a Go Fund Me account Stephanie Williams set up to cover Hermond’s funeral expenses was more than halfway to its $20,000 goal.
Whenhewasn’t on active duty, Hermond found his calling in the restaurant business. Friends say he was thrilled to get a job working with the Victoria Gastro Pub when it first opened11years ago. Over the years, he worked his way up from server to bartender to manager, said Randy Marriner, owner of the Victoria Restaurant Group. He was like “family,” Marriner said.
Fellow servers and customers adored him. “He touched everyone he met,” said Tariq Williams, who considered Hermond “100 percent” his big brother.
Rose Lovely of Connecticut met Hermond only a few times, but loved his flirtatious and big-hearted personality. Her daughters worked with Hermond and are wrecked by his passing, she said.
Another friend who knew Hermond from the restaurant remembered him as a kind, selfless man. “He died like he lived, as an example of selflessness. We should all be so brave,” said James Hammond.
And everyone remembers Eddie’s signature drink, says Tariq Williams: a Raging Bitch from Flying Dog Brewery accompanied by a shot of Old Grand-Dad.
On Friday morning, Hermond wrote what would be one of his last Facebook posts.
“Okay kiddos, it's Friday and the start of Memorial Day weekend,” he began. “Let's get the hate out of our hearts. Focus on the positives and let's all, for once, enjoy life as it's meant to be enjoyed. Whatever your pleasure is … just be happy. We're free because people gave their lives for us to live this way.”