The body of a Minnesota father was discovered days after he heroically saved his children from the Mississippi River. In a Facebook post on Sunday, July 14, the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 41-year-old Cody Jay Pope.
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Authorities reported that on Friday, July 12, Pope and his two children were swimming on a sandbar at Rivers Edge Commons in Elk River when the children started to struggle against the current.
The quick-thinking father “grabbed onto one of the juveniles and was able to get her to the sandbar,” the sheriff’s office detailed. “[He] then jumped in to assist the other juvenile. [Pope] was able to support the second juvenile in the water for a short time and push that child to shore before the adult disappeared under the water.”
Elk River firefighters and police successfully rescued the child from the water. “The children told firefighters and police officers that their dad was missing,” authorities explained.
Eyewitness Marianne Jackson recounted the harrowing event. “It was just awful,” she told local outlet Fox 9 KMSP. “I was shaking by the time this thing was over, because this poor little child, she was watching her dad.”
After a two-day search, the Wright County Water Patrol recovered Pope’s body near Oliver Kelley Farm at approximately 9:40 a.m. local time, according to an update from the sheriff’s office on July 14.
Locals Show Their Support After Father Dies Rescuing His Children from Drowning in the Mississippi River
On July 14, Pope’s partner Cheryl Holzknecht expressed her heartfelt sorrow in a Facebook post, stating that she will “spend the rest of my life missing Cody.”
Holzknecht continued, “He was an amazing daddy and a true hero in his last moments. I don’t know how I will make it without him, he was my rock and did so much for anyone and everyone he knew.”
“He is the definition of a hero and you should be so damn proud!! I am so incredibly sorry for your families extreme loss. Holding you in extra hugs, love and prayers!”, a well-wisher said in the comments to the post.
“My prayers are going strong for you lady! Cody was taken too soon, but will always be remembered as a true hero to his kids and ALL!”, a second family friend offered.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign is ongoing for Cody Jay Pope’s family. As of this writing, it has raised $10,500 of a $12,000 goal.