Sixteen-year-old Bryce Brooks of Atlanta was on a spring vacation in Pensacola with his family when a moment of bravery turned into heartbreaking tragedy. While relaxing by the shore, Bryce and his friends noticed four younger children being swept out by a dangerous rip current. Without hesitation, Bryce and two others leapt into the water to save them, while others on the beach ran to find adults who could help.
According to his father, Shivy Brooks, Bryce never once thought of himself in those final moments. Witnesses recalled hearing him call out—not for rescue for his own sake, but desperately asking for help to save the younger children he was trying to reach. As the waves crashed and the current dragged, Bryce was pulled under. A family friend, Charles “Uncle Chuck” Johnson II, immediately dove in to try to save him, but he too was overwhelmed by the strength of the water.
Both Bryce and Johnson were eventually pulled from the water by bystanders. Emergency responders arrived quickly, and the two were airlifted to a nearby hospital. Despite the best efforts of doctors, both lives were lost that day, leaving two families and an entire community shattered.
The news spread quickly back home to Atlanta, where Bryce’s classmates and teachers at Maynard Jackson High School came together to honor him. Students organized a balloon release in his memory, filling the sky with color in a gesture of love and remembrance. His mother, Crystal Brooks, shared her heartbreak but also her pride. Through her tears, she spoke of her son stepping into manhood at that moment of sacrifice, calling him a hero who put others before himself even in the most terrifying of circumstances.
Bryce’s life was one filled with promise. He was an honor roll student, admired by his peers and teachers alike. He loved music, had a strong interest in fashion, and participated in his school’s fashion club. Friends described him as creative and compassionate, with a joyful spirit that made people feel welcome. At home, he doted on his younger brother and took his role as a protective big brother seriously. His family had even been featured on Netflix’s Instant Dream Home, where their home was secretly renovated as a surprise—another joyful memory now preserved as part of his legacy.
Support poured in from across the country as people learned of Bryce’s sacrifice. “Get Your Teach On,” an education-focused organization, launched a fundraiser to assist the Brooks family. The campaign quickly gained momentum, raising more than $78,000 in a matter of weeks. Organizers praised Bryce’s selflessness, pointing out that his actions helped save multiple lives that day. Messages of sympathy and admiration arrived from strangers and friends alike, all recognizing the magnitude of what Bryce had done.
To carry forward his legacy, Bryce’s family established the Bryce Brooks Foundation. Its mission is to improve water safety awareness and prevent future tragedies by equipping young people with the skills they need to stay safe. The foundation now provides free swimming lessons to children and scholarships for lifeguard certification, empowering the next generation to be confident and capable in the water. By doing so, the foundation hopes to honor Bryce’s bravery by ensuring others are prepared to act safely if they ever face similar situations.
Recently, the foundation celebrated a milestone by awarding its first six lifeguard certification scholarships. One of the recipients was the son of Uncle Chuck, a touching tribute to both men who gave their lives that day. The initiative not only keeps Bryce’s memory alive but also gives hope and strength to those inspired by his courage. Each scholarship represents another young person better equipped to save lives—a ripple effect of heroism that extends far beyond that tragic afternoon.
Though Bryce’s time on Earth was far too short, his story continues to resonate. He is remembered not only as a son, a brother, and a student, but as a young man who embodied the highest ideals of courage and sacrifice. His willingness to risk everything for children in need reminds us of the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. While his loss leaves an unfillable void for his family, community, and friends, his legacy of love, protection, and bravery lives on through the foundation and through every life it touches.
