Lost in Mississippi River trying to save girlfriend, Kevin Poole Jr., was a ‘straight soldier’

As a participant within the Native Plant Academy, a seven-week program designed to introduce younger individuals to the wetlands, Kevin Poole Jr. spent his Saturday mornings visiting Lake Borgne, scoping out native wildlife, and studying in regards to the Mississippi River.

Final weekend, he shared his plan for a local plant backyard.

“They received native plant seeds to start out their vegetation, and Kevin’s mother instructed me he mentioned, ‘That is your early Mom’s Day current—we will do that collectively,’” program facilitator Angela Chalk mentioned. “It is so ironic how the very river he was learning is the river that claimed his life.”

After his class, round 5 p.m. Saturday, Poole, his 5-year-old brother, his girlfriend Brandy Wilson, 14, and her youthful sister Ally Wilson, 8, have been close to the banks of the Mississippi River on the foot of the Crescent Metropolis Connection in Algiers when Brandy slipped and fell into the turbulent waters. Poole and Ally went in after her, making an attempt to save lots of her, however ended up being swept up in its sturdy present as nicely.

Three days later, the kids stay lacking, and the search by native authorities continues, New Orleans police mentioned.

L.B. Landry Excessive College soccer coach and former New Orleans Saint Keenan Lewis mentioned Poole displayed attribute selflessness in trying to rescue Brandy.

“He was courageous, selfless, a man keen to assist anyone, and only a straight soldier,” Lewis mentioned.

Lewis noticed a particular spark in Poole, whose drive and place as a cornerback reminded him of himself, a lot in order that he assigned Poole the identical quantity he wore on his highschool jersey: 23. At the same time as a freshman, Poole stood out to recruiters, garnering a suggestion to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks on the College of Arkansas.

He would go straight from faculty to review corridor to soccer apply, and he was steadily the final particular person to depart the sphere when apply dismissed at 5:30 p.m.

“Kevin would nonetheless be on the sphere working sprints,” L.B. Landry Excessive College soccer coach Jeremy Cole mentioned. “Kevin prided himself on outworking the seniors. He felt he had one thing to show. He knew he was going to be on the sphere each Friday night time. Not all freshmen see the sphere their first 12 months, and Kevin noticed various it.”

Maybe that was one purpose why he was identified to sneak naps on discipline journeys with the Native Plant Academy. Poole typically fell asleep on the bus, and Chalk would tease him. 

“I might say, ‘Why are you sleeping a lot? Do you’ve an evening job?’ He mentioned, ‘No,’” Chalk recalled. “I mentioned, ‘Are you taking part in video video games?’ He mentioned, ‘No.’ I mentioned, ‘You may have a girlfriend?’ And he would smile. I mentioned, ‘That is it. You are speaking to your girlfriend.’

“He would simply smile.”

Certainly one of six siblings, Poole excelled in all his lessons, his coaches mentioned. He’d been caring for his youthful brother on the day he disappeared so as to give his mom a break, in accordance with reporting from WWL-TV. He dreamed of taking part in soccer for an SEC faculty sometime and pursuing a profession in coastal administration or environmental stewardship, Chalk mentioned. 

Although Lewis is gutted by the lack of a participant who was like a son to him, he is proud that Poole died as fearlessly as he lived.

“What he did to sacrifice his life to save lots of one other life is the proudest second I’ve for him, although it harm,” Lewis mentioned. “God desires us to assist others, so I hope he rests in peace.”