He didn’t think twice. When Frank Young heard a child’s screams echoing from the waters of the Chattahoochee River, instinct took over. On that fateful night of July 2, in Roswell, Georgia, Young dove in and pulled the struggling child to safety — a moment of pure, selfless courage. But while the child survived, Frank did not.
His body was recovered later that evening near Garrard Landing Park, after an hours-long search by Roswell first responders. And now, the city mourns not just a man, but a quiet hero who gave everything in a single, fearless act of love.
Frank Young wasn’t famous. He wasn’t in uniform. He was a father, a husband, and a friend who heard a family’s cries for help — and answered. He may never make national headlines, but to one child, he’s the reason there’s still breath in their lungs. To one family, he’s everything that was good and brave and irreplaceable.
According to relatives, Frank had been spending time near the river with close family friends when the emergency unfolded. The child, caught in a sudden current, began to drift. A mother screamed. Frank jumped. And though he brought the child safely to shore, he never resurfaced.
Now, the family he left behind is trying to pick up the pieces. His only son is struggling to cover the cost of funeral arrangements. They’ve launched a fundraiser titled “Remembering Frank Young: A Hero’s Farewell,” calling on the community to help them honor a man who didn’t hesitate to risk his life for someone else’s child.
“His passing has left a permanent mark not just on those who knew him, but on an entire community,” the family wrote. “He is a reminder of the power of selflessness.”
As word of Frank’s sacrifice spreads, neighbors and strangers alike have gathered to mourn. A vigil is planned at Garrard Landing Park this weekend, where candles will be lit in his memory — one for every life touched by his final act of love.
And through the tears, one question remains:
How do you thank a man who gave everything?
Perhaps the answer is this — we remember him. We care for his family. We tell his story. And we remind our children that real heroes don’t always wear capes — sometimes, they wear nothing more than a t-shirt and courage, and dive into a river without looking back.
To support Frank Young’s family, visit the fundraiser here.
