On Sunday, July 23rd, 11-year- old Keegan Hogan of Dover was presented a Life Saving Award for his actions on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 that saved the life of a 7-year-old boy as they were swimming at Long Pool Recreation swimming area. The award was presented to Keegan by Dover Township Constable Alan Bradley and Martin Township Constable Nathan Jones during Sunday morning service at the Pleasant Grove Community Church in Dover.
On Tuesday the 27th day of June 2023, some of the members of the Pleasant Grove Community Church were on an outing at the Long Pool Recreation and Swimming area.
Before breakfast, at about 8 a.m., the youth were enjoying the outing, and some of them were jumping off of a rock the swimming area.
After about a dozen or so jumps, Keegan jumped one more time and started swimming back to shore. At this time, 7-year-old Storm Blackshear jumped one more time and had started to swim back to shore, when he became exhausted and started calling for help. Keegan heard the call for help and immediately swam back out to Storm, rescued him and brought him safely back to shore.
Keegan’s quick thinking, without hesitation, followed by his heroic actions resulted in saving Storm’s life from a tragic end.
A document presented to Keegan by Constable Bradley and Constable Jones stated, “For the aforementioned details of this incident, it is our honor to present this LIFE SAVING AWARD TO KEEGAN HOGAN” and was signed Constable Alan D. Bradley, Dover Township Constable and
Constable Nathan Jones, Martin Township Constable, This 22nd day of July 2023. Keegan was then presented the Life Saving Award, a plaque that included the information concerning his actions.
During the presentation, Keegan’s grandmother, Elaine Hogan, was also recognized for the excellent job she has done in raising Keegan. Constable Jones stated, “It takes someone in the home also to help keep your kids growing up in the right direction. To keep them going in the right direction, to keep them on church and to keep them out of trouble.”
Constable Jones continued by starting, “Apparently you’re doing the right job and I want to recognize you and tell you to keep doing what you’re doing.”
Pleasant Grove Community Church Pastor William Hampton addressed the congregation and stated, “I would like to say something about Ms. Elaine, she’s raising three kids on her own and she’s a grandmother. Thank God for Elaine to stand by them and take care of them.” Pastor Hampton then stated, “Elaine you have done a tremendous job, these kids are awesome children.”
River Valley Now would like to congratulate and thank Keegan for his life saving actions that made a difference in many lives and would like to thank Pastor Hampton, the Pleasant Grove Community Church, Constable Bradley, Constable Jones as well as Keegan’s grandmother Elaine for allowing RVN to capture the presentation.
To learn more about the Pleasant Grove Community Church, their location and worship times, visit their Facebook page by clicking the following link. pleasantgrov...
The attached photos and the following video were captured from the presentations on Sunday.
Way to go Keegan!