By Sara Schilling
Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.)
SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — A detective on the verge of retirement recently got a letter from a boy he saved from hypothermia 15 years ago, and the letter included an ask “that brought the veteran lawman to tears,” officials said.
David Lew, now about to graduate from high school in southwestern Wyoming, invited Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Jeff Sheaman to play a special role during the big day, according to an April 30 news release from the sheriff’s office.
“I just told him who I was and that I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him. I asked if he’d come to graduation and hand me my diploma. It felt like everything was coming full circle,” David is quoted as saying in the release, which was shared to the sheriff’s office Facebook page.
Sheaman, who’s worked in law enforcement for more than two decades and is retiring May 9, became emotional when he got the letter, according to officials.
“Out of all the people he could’ve asked, I’m grateful he wants me there by his side on graduation day,” Sheaman said in the release.
He was new to the sheriff’s office when he saved David in July 2010, according to officials.
The boy, then 3, was on the water with family when “a sudden squall rendered their boat inoperable, leaving David’s family soaked, shivering, and stranded,” officials said.
David had become unconscious, and “Sheaman removed the toddler’s wet life jacket, pressed him against his chest, and kept him warm during the rough ride back to shore,” according to officials, who said Sheaman was credited “with preventing advanced hypothermia.”
Newspaper clippings shared with the release show Sheaman and others being honored 15 years ago for the rescue. They include photos of the toddler and deputy together.
The pair met back up recently for another photo – this one with David grown up.
After the teen graduates in May, he has plans to go onto college, officials said.
Sheaman said he’s honored to take part in graduation.
“This is what it’s all about,” he said in the release. “Knowing I helped a kid grow up, graduate, and live a full life — I can retire happy picturing David walking across that stage.”
Sweetwater County includes Green River, a 272-mile drive northwest from Cheyenne.
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