ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — Officials have found the body of a missing National Guardsman who disappeared after Sunday's flooding in Ellicott City.
Original article from WBAL-TV below:
Eddison Hermond, 39, of Severn, was reported missing around 12:30 a.m. Monday, Howard County officials said.
Friends of the former Air Force member said he was swept away Sunday evening outside La Palapa restaurant in a parking lot in Ellicott City.
Police said Hermond was holding a door to keep water out when a woman said her cat was missing in an area behind the restaurant. Hermond went to help look for the cat when he was swept into the water, police said.
"A lady approached and indicated she was trying to find her cat, who was missing behind the building lot D. He, along with some other folks, went back to assist her during that effort. They saw him go under the water and not surface," Howard County Police Chief Gary Gardner said.
Gardner said the others made it higher ground on Main Street.
"When I heard what happened, I just knew as soldiers we just react. We don't think, and at that time, he reacted. It wasn't about the water. He knew somebody needed help, and he knew he would be the one to go out there and give it his best," Gates said.
Family and friends are holding out hope as rescuers searched for Hermond.
"We just want him to come back safe. That's all we want," Staff Sgt. Shawn Gates said.
Gates described Hermond as courageous, dependable and well-respected.
"To even think that this could happen to him after just recently seeing him is tough for me. He was one of those guys I could always go to talk to," Gates said.
Officials ask anyone with information about Hermond's whereabouts to call 911.