Puerto Rico National Guard Staff Sgt. Fidel Cruz Llanos, 34, attempted to save a man from drowning off a beach in San Juan on Sunday, March 10, 2024, but was also overtaken by the current. His body was recovered Tuesday. (Puerto Rico National Guard)
A Puerto Rico National Guard soldier visiting the beach with his family Sunday drowned after trying to rescue a tourist struggling to swim in the ocean.
Staff Sgt. Fidel Cruz Llanos was last seen about 80 yards from the shore of Condado Beach in San Juan, according to the Coast Guard. Several local, state and federal agencies searched for him, and his body was recovered Tuesday.
The 34-year-old was a National Guard member assigned to the 295th Quartermaster Field Feeding Platoon and a civilian employee for the service, said Siul Lopez, spokesman for the Puerto Rico National Guard.
The 20-year-old tourist, Charles Victor Daniel, from Moline, Ill., also died, the Coast Guard reported. The service’s Sector San Juan received an initial report from a 911 operator of a person in the water overtaken by the currents and calling out for help.
Maj. Gen. Miguel Mendez, commander of the Puerto Rico National Guard, said these have been “difficult days for the great family” of the island’s Guard.
“We mourn the loss of Staff Sgt. Fidel Cruz Llanos who in an act of bravery demonstrated the gallantry that characterizes the members of our organization and the great heart of Puerto Ricans. Fidel jumped into the sea to try to save the life of another, putting his own at risk, demonstrating that selfless service, duty, and personal courage do not stay with the uniform, but are carried with us wherever we go and wherever we go, at all times,” Mendez said in a statement.
He described Cruz Llanos, a father of three children, as a helpful, polite, good-hearted person and very committed to his work and the organization.
Members of the Guard stayed at the beach until Cruz Llanos was found, offering aviation and medical resources, as well as social work to the family and emotional and mental health support.
“The loss of this brave soldier is a blow that is felt throughout our unit,” 2nd Lt. Zamia López, commander of Llanos’ unit, said in a statement. “We are here to offer our unconditional support to his family. May they find comfort in the shared memories and in the legacy of bravery he leaves behind. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Efforts to find Cruz Llanos included a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft from the Coast Guard, an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from the service and support from the San Juan Office of Emergency Management, Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau, Puerto Rico Joint Forces of Rapid Action, Puerto Rico Emergency Medical Services and the National Guard.
