Graduation is a special time for high school seniors and their families but one Rock Springs graduate is using it also as a time to recognize someone who saved his life as a child. The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office shared the story this week, a story that begins in 2010 when Detective Sgt. Jeff Sheaman rescued a toddler from a storm on Flaming Gorge. 3-year-old David Lew and his family were stranded when their boat became inoperable during a sudden squall. Sgt. Sheaman was, at that time, a newly sworn in deputy who reached the family in the dark and, finding little David unconscious and turning blue, the deputy removed the toddler’s wet life jacket and pressed him against his chest to keep him warm during the difficult rescue as the boat was brought to shore. This act was credited by paramedics with preventing advanced hypothermia and even saving the toddler’s life. Now almost 18-years-old, David Lew is set to graduate at the end of this month and as a recognition and thank you for that night in the freezing rain almost 15 years later, he has asked Detective Sgt. Sheaman to be the one to present his diploma to him at the Rock Springs High School graduation. The timing is especially meaningful for Sheamon as he is retiring this month after 20+ years in law enforcement. “In this line of work, you see a lot—some of it good, some of it crazy, and some of it heartbreaking,” Sheaman says. “David reminds me of the good we can do. His letter came at just the right time for me. Out of all the people he could’ve asked, I’m grateful he wants me there by his side on graduation day.” David says having Sheaman hand him the diploma will be a full circle moment and it certainly will be for both involved.
