The family of the man who drowned this summer just downstream from the Red Rock Dam gathered in Polk City this weekend to thank the man who saved many other lives on a tragic day.
Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt tells KNIA/KRLS News the family of Cha Charles Lee met with Nate Thayer at Big Creek State Park to honor him for his efforts in saving numerous individuals, including a little girl, from drowning on June 15th. Charles died trying to save his eight-year-old niece, and Thayer was able to pull other family members of the young girl out of the water as they tried to save her. Sandholdt and his deputies helped facilitate the meeting.
Sandholdt says while the loss of life was terrible news, Thayer’s knowledge of CPR saved the young girl’s life, which prevented further tragedy.
He says the day was emotional, especially as Thayer’s and Lee’s families connected and shared the day together.
“It was really neat to see the bonds, and the thankful, grateful attitudes that the family had for Nate being there, and for Nate, it kind of sunk in too that ‘Hey, I saved lives,'” Sandholdt says.

Photos by Jess Thayer