Aaron Leija and other Good Samaritans in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Aaron Leija

On June 27, 2015, after 7:00 p.m., two middle-aged men decided to go for a swim in a lagoon in a park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

There were numerous people in the vicinity of the lagoon and some noticed that the two men were having difficulty swimming and that one had disappeared.

The police were called. In the meantime, at least two people rushed into the muddy and murky water to try to save the swimmers.

Aaron Leija and another rescuer soon found the missing man. He was entirely underwater, about 15 feet from shore. His feet were stuck in the gumbo-like mud on the bottom of the lagoon. He couldn't move and the rescuers couldn't move him. Aaron Leija had to pull the man's legs out of the mud.

Aaron, the other rescuer and three Milwaukee Police Officers were able to bring the

The Good Samaritan comes to
the aid of strangers, selflessly.

man to shore.

The man was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

Tragically, the other swimmer, Alejandro Rodriguez-Estrella, age 54, died by drowning. Family members said that he often went to the lagoon to fish.

Aaron Leija stated that God told him to try to save the swimmers.

God bless Aaron Leija and the other rescuer. They are Good Samaritans.

God bless the Police who come to the rescue of those in distress every day.

Pray for Alejandro and for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and are gone before we can say goodbye. Amen.