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Man Dies After Chikaskia River Rescue
The man, family says, was a former Argonia volunteer firefighter who died after entering the river in an attempt to save those in trouble. Reporter: Abby BarnettEmail Address: abby.barnett@kake.com |
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Posted by: ...
Location: Conway Springs
on Sep 16, 2008 at 10:27 AM
I know some of those people and they are really idiotic for going out there. I mean they heard about all of the flooding. A lot of people have been going messing around in high waters, but maybe this will teach others to pay attention. I am very sorry to Dennis's family and friends. I consider him a hero!
Posted by: family of Dennis Rhodes
Location: Argonia
on Sep 16, 2008 at 09:32 AM
I would like to thank every one that was down at the river helping. Dennis is our brother, uncle, and son, and our hero. He risk his own life to help those kids, and he would not want people blaming those kids for what happen to him. Please pray for his daughter, she is the love of his life, he would do anything for her. He would want you to save his daughter and not blame her if she was in danger. There is alot of people hurting over this accident, please pray for all of them. They are all hero's for volunteering there time and life's to help people.
Posted by: Gary Simpson
Location: Milton
on Sep 16, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Dennis Rhodes was a REAL MAN and a hero. He didn't condemn those kids for doing the stupid thing of getting into a swollen raging river in a raft. He knew people do stupid things, esp. young people. That's life. I'm sure there was an element of fear and desperation in Dennis, that the first rescue attempt by boat had failed, and who knew when a better boat would be coming. Those kids could have washed off the dam any second and lost their lives. Dennis didn't care that he didn't personally know those kids and that they weren't from Argonia, but from the big city of Wichita. A smaller man had tried to enter the river and couldn't handle it. Dennis was the BIG MAN there and he stood up to the job. "Don't ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee." I think Dennis heard that bell toll for him, and he didn't ask questions. I sure hope those people rescued can go to Dennis's funeral. They will be loved. I pray God uses them in their lives as God used Dennis to save them.
Posted by: friend
Location: argonia
on Sep 16, 2008 at 01:10 AM
I have known dennis for a long time.He was more than trained to do what he tried to do that night. He is loved and missed.May god be with his family.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Sep 15, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Wishes that kake 10 could get the story right before airing it.
Posted by: mom
Location: ks
on Sep 15, 2008 at 09:19 PM
IVE READ ALL COMMENTS.THERE R 2 SIDES.DENNIS IS A HERO,BUT THERES MORE 2 IT,ALOT MORE.YES,THE KIDS DID SOMETHING STUPID,BUT AT THERE AGE,WE ALL DID.YOU DONT THINK THEIR GUILT AND THE THOUGHT OF DYING IS PUNISHMENT?YOU DONT SEE THEIR PAIN,ONE HEARS A BATH RUNNIN AND SCREAMS.THEY ALL KNOW THEY SCREWED UP & O THERE LIVES TO THOSE WHO JEPORDIZED THERES.BUT Y DID IT TAKE 7HRS TO GET THEM?WERE ALL JUST GLAD THEYRE HOME SAFE,AND GRIEVE FOR DENNISES DAUGHTER,BUT HOW ABOUT YOU THINK OF THE DUMB THINGS YOUVE DONE AND GIVE THESE KIDS A BREAK.THEY WOULD NEVER HURT ANYONE ON PURPOSE,THIS WAS JUST A MISTAKE MADE FROM BAD JUDGEMENT.
Posted by: A
Location: Kansas
on Sep 15, 2008 at 09:11 PM
To the person who asked what a person not "trained" should do....stay back and not be a lookie loo, and let the professionals do thier job. The interview that Mr. Rhodes best friend gave on another network stated that he had to do something...no he did not have to do anything! It is not his job, remember he was a former member of the fire department! Be part of the solution not a bigger part of the problem. It is stupid people that got into the river, it should be professionals that enter the river and rescue those stupid people, period. I will always question the intent of a bystander, when professionals are already on a scene. We, as humans want to help, maybe we should ask them if we can help, before taking our own actions....once again, COMMON SENSE! It also seems that somebody from the emergency services was on scene when Mr. Rhodes made his choice...why was he not stopped? The other network interview states that emergency workers tied him to the rope? Maybe their to blame?
Posted by: a friend
Location: Conway Springs
on Sep 15, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Go ahesd, say all your mean, hateful comments about these kids. Say how stupid they were, etc. etc. but only say it if you have never in your life, especially when you were young and careless, done anything stupid. Everyone has made bad judgement calls, especially when we were young. Leave them alone, better yet, pray for them. They WILL live with this for the rest of their lives, isn't that enough?
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: Kansas
on Sep 15, 2008 at 07:00 PM
Why would the kids have to pay for the rescue, what about all the people that didn't get out of Texas when they was told too should they have to pay. They made a mistake let them get on with their lives they problaly feel bad enough. there problaly more to the story thats not be told by the news, the only people know the story is the people that was there. I know we lost a person but he got in the water to help it was he's job, but five others are alive knowing they made a big mistake. God Bless All of Them
Posted by: laura
Location: kansas
on Sep 15, 2008 at 05:19 PM
GOD BLESS DENNIS RHODES AND EVERY OTHER FIREFIGHTER AND OTHER VOLUNTEER WHOM WERE ABLE TO BE THERE AND HELP! TO THOSE OF YOU THAT THINK HE WAS NOT PROPERLY TRINED TO DO A SELFLESS ACT TRYING TO SAVE LIVES. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE IN THAT TYPE OF SITUATION? WE ARE HUMAN AND THE HUMAN THING TO DO IN A CRISIS IS HELP! TRAINED OR NOT! SOMETIMES IT TAKES A LITTLE TIME TO GET CONTROL OF THE SITUATION AT HAND. OUR SMALL TOWNS RELY ON OUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS. TO HELP AND SAVE LIVES. HATS OF TO EVERY VOLUNTEER IN OUR SMALL COMMUNITIES. TO THE FAMILY OF DENNIS RHODES, YOUR LOVED ONE DID WHAT IS NATURAL FOR ANY HUMAN BEING TO DO. NO ONE SHOULD QUESTION WETHER HE SHOULD HAVE GONE INTO THE WATER OR NOT. THAT IS THE MOST SELFLESS ACT ANYONE CAN DO. GOD BLESS DENNIS RHODES.
Posted by: The Objective Observer
Location: The World
on Sep 15, 2008 at 04:22 PM
To everyone who seems to think that guy who died is a hero I have some thoughts. If even half of what I have been hearing about him is correct, he is no hero. All he did was try to make himself look good while commiting suicide. I am freinds with those "kids" in the raft, and I am appaled by the sheer stupidity of their decision to raft a flooded river, but that doesn't change the past or the facts. And I am not one for maligning people for any reason, but the fact that some people just don't want to look at why an experianced adult would do something that he KNEW would get him killed, and instead focus on the kids. Shame on you all.
Posted by: michael
Location: wichita
on Sep 15, 2008 at 04:19 PM
and one more thing everyone says how kind and careing this guy was think would he want all of you to continue to make theys kids feel worse and worse think about it!
Posted by: michael
Location: wichita
on Sep 15, 2008 at 04:09 PM
I am sry that man died trying to save them all but that was his choice to go in no one elses they shouldnt be balmed for a choice he made yes they should pay for the rescue but not for his death they feel horrable anof about it without all u ppl makeing it worse they are very sry he died and thankful for him trying to save them but it was his choice to go in so just stop trying to make them feel even worse and just make a bad thing even worse we have all done stupid things when we were kids i dont care who you are you have done somthing really stupid when you were a kid they have learned very much from this and are thankful for everyone that helped save them but just stop trying to make them feel worse and make a bad thing worse its point less
Posted by: a friend
Location: argonia
on Sep 15, 2008 at 04:01 PM
today was a tuff day seeing everyone who knew and loved dennis he meant alot to alot of people in our community he was someone very special he will be missed... to his daughter your daddy is a hero to all that knew and love him he will be missed greatly cheers to you dennis and to all of you that where down at the river on that tragic night we lost our dear friend WE WILL MISS YOU DENNIS
Posted by: friend
Location: Conway Springs
on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Havent any of you ever been young? Those kids were going out to have a good time! Nobody lives their life thinking they are going to die or that their actions will be risking the life of another!! If you do I feel sorry for you!! It was accident and those kids will be living with this mistake for the rest of their life dont you think thats enough? Who hasnt floated down a river or hasnt known someone that has! It is a terrible shame that someone did lose their life and I am sure the kids are grateful for what he did for them and are very sorry!! To those of you writing such hateful things...put yourself there, what if it was your child that did that or your friend or your friends child? You would be hurt by these comments. These are good kids, they are responsible and caring and dont deserve to hear your opinion!!!
Posted by: JSB
Location: Wish I were there
on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:53 PM
To "A Location" - Are you kidding me? Have you not ever been in an emergency situation. Those attempting to rescue these idiots were trained...How else were they Firemen/rescue workers? Besides if that were your stupid kid in the river, you would have begged any bystander with an ounce of training to go in after them, so go stuff your pie hole. Those selfless, courageous rescue workers that risked and lost their lives due to this situation are heros. There is a lot of suffering and grief going on and all you can say is..."use common sense". Those blasted fools that got in the raft in the first place are the ones who should have used common sense. To all the hero's - those with and without all the technical/proper equipment - God Bless You!! My Brother, although you may not feel like it at this point in time after loosing a friend and a comrade...it wasn't your fault. Prepare for the attack - God's spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Posted by: Friend
Location: Conway Springs
on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:52 PM
How many people go out have a few drinks and drive home thinking something bad is going to happen? NOBODY THAT I KNOW OF! It just happens sometimes. These kids did not get in the water thinking that something bad was going to happen, You can call them stupid, you can say it was poor judgement, say what you want. These kids will have to live with it forever. I'm sure they feel horrible, and wish they could take it back. They are kids that were looking for fun and got more than they bargained for. I know every one of those kids and I know that they feel terrible about what happened to Dennis Rhodes, and i know they did not mean to take him from his daughter
Posted by: Lisa
Location: Wellington
on Sep 15, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Its a shame someone had to die because kids were allowed to go where they shouldn't have been. where were the parents.
Posted by: Wife
Location: Argonia
on Sep 15, 2008 at 11:23 AM
THIER ARE SO MANY DEALING WITH THIS DEATH.. I HOPE THESE KIDS SEE THE PAIN THEY HAVE CAUSED, THE FAMILY, HIS YOUNG DAUGHTER, AND EVERY MAN, WOMEN,FRIEND AND CHILDREN OF ALL THESE PEOPLE. THAT WERE A PART OF SAVING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, THAT COULD CARELEE..IM VERY SADDEN OF THE LACK OF RESPECT SHOWN TO THE MAN WHO LOST HIS LIFE..AND THE LIFE KNOW THAT HANG IN THE AFTERMATH..
Posted by: A
Location: Kansas
on Sep 15, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Why would somebody not trained enter a situation like this? First off the children should be charged for the death of another and fined for the cost for the equipment and personnel it took to rescue them. The article stated that the person who lost his life was a former firefighter....what training did he have? Who authorized him to go into the water to begin with, or did he take it upon himself? It is a shame, and a tragedy that this death has occured. Use some COMMON SENSE people!!!! Rescuing those kids should have been left to those with the proper training! For those of you who attempted to resuce those kids ( with the proper training ) may god bless you. For those kids in the water, you put yourselves in that situation...I hope you sleep well tonight!
Posted by: Dennis
Location: Wichita
on Sep 15, 2008 at 10:01 AM
No reason to lash out at these kids? Their stupidity, ingnorance and lack of parental supervision caused a little girl to lose her daddy. These kids need to be charged with reckless endangerment or more. Then maybe they'll learn to think before they act next time.
Posted by: Doug
Location: Sumner County
on Sep 15, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Our loss is heavens gain. God needed a big hearted repairman in heaven. These youg people should be charged financially and legally for what they have done. Poor judgment does not excuse you from paying for the end result. If you are driving under the influence and kill someone, you are charged. Going onto a flood swollen river and a potential rescuer is killed, I see no difference. Many rescuers have spent many restless hours since this event and are playing the scene of losing a friend over in their minds. I have experienced this type of loss and it is not a pleasure. Maybe you youg adults who caused this loss, can spend somerestless nights pondering you poor judgement. Also it would be fitting for you to face Dennis's daugter and tell her your sorry and how stupid you were for causing the loss of the only real parent she will ever have. May you youg adults and your parents do what is right for the young girl who has just lost her loving father.
Posted by: Just a friend...
Location: conway springs
on Sep 15, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Thank you to all that helped in this rescue! It was one of my firends that were on that raft. Yes i know it was 100% stupid for them to do that. and they should have realize that before doing it. I know now that they are now. They will have to live with this. I love my friends dearly and if anything had happened to her. I don't know what would have happened! I really hope now all 5 of these people start to realize that sometimes things that sound fun, are not smart. and need to start putting there life together. EVERYONE is so VERY Thankful for Dennis Rhodes, he will always be in our hearts even if we didn't know him. he died trying to save our stupid friends. Yes life will go on but this is something someone can never forget...thanks
Posted by: Diana
Location: Kansas
on Sep 15, 2008 at 07:22 AM
My comments are regarding the Fire Chief and why they didn't have a back up plan to help rescue the firefighters, and why it took 4 hours to get them out of the water, some one's not doing their job and I think the city should be looking in to that!!!! Does it take someone losing their life to get some attention.
Posted by: Shelly
Location: Wichita
on Sep 15, 2008 at 06:41 AM
Come on, people. Easy on those kids. They have to live with this the rest of their lives, right? God bless the rescuers, and God bless Dennis Rhodes. Such a tragedy - keep them all in your prayers, including the kids who went rafting in the first place.
Posted by: DD
Location: Wichita
on Sep 15, 2008 at 05:39 AM
If the 5 kids would have not been massing around and taking risk,this man would have not lost his life,I hope this haunts those kids for the rest of their life. If I was him I would have said,you kids got yourself in this mess acting like fools,your going to have to get yourself out of it!!
Posted by: David
Location: Fort Scott, Kansas
on Sep 15, 2008 at 02:17 AM
To the family of Dennis Rhodes, my thoughts and prayers are for you. I pray that God's comfort and peace will be with you through this difficult time. In having grown up in Argonia, I knew Dennis for many years. I remember him as good natured and always willing to help out. The Argonia community will not be the same without him. A Hero, Volunteer, and Friend: Dennis, you will be deeply missed! To all of the volunteers who helped with this situation, a deep, heart felt THANK YOU. Your presence and sacrifices make our communities strong and proud! May God always bless you and keep you safe. Finally to the survivors of the raft: please do not squander the opportunity that you have been given. Many lives were put on the line that night for your lives. Please learn from this very expensive lesson and know that God will always be there for you.
Posted by: Anna
Location: Wellington
on Sep 14, 2008 at 11:54 PM
My thoughts and prayers go out to Dennis's family...especially his daughter Nelle. She ment the world to him. He will be truely missed by many. And for the teenagers that were in the raft in the first place..exactly what did they think they were doing? I hope they feel bad and ashamed. And would like to know how they could explain to a little girls why she lost her father. Because of their stupid actions..a little girl has to grow up without her dad. All because of lack of common sense. It's a shame. He will be truely missed.
Posted by: SHERRY
Location: HARPER COUNTY
on Sep 14, 2008 at 10:24 PM
I AM TRULY SADDENED BY THE LOSE OF ANOTHER VOL. FIREFIGHTER. THERE ARE 3 MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY WHO ARE VOL. FIREFIGHTERS,INCLUDING MYSELF, AND WHEN THE TONE GOES OFF YOU JUST GO TO DO THE JOB YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO DO. WE PUT OURSELVES IN SITUATIONS OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO SAVE PROPERTY AND LIVES. IF ONLY PEOPLE WOULD THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING. FOR EVERY ACTION THERE IS A REACTION, AND SOMETIMES IT IS ONE THAT SOME OF US WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH FOR LIFE. I PRAY FOR THE FAMILY OF THE "FALLEN HERO" AND FOR THE KIDS. HE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Sep 14, 2008 at 10:18 PM
This is a very sad situation all around. I send prayers to the family of Dennis Rhodes. From the sound of it he seemed like a brave and caring person. Yes these kids made a bad choice to get on the water but everyone makes bad choices sometime in their lives. I know people are grieving over the death of a loved one/friend/firefighter but there is no reason to lash out at these kids for his death. This is something they will have to live with for the rest of their lives and I wish that on no child/young adult. Please pray for All those involved.
Posted by: db
Location: ict
on Sep 14, 2008 at 09:52 PM
"Only is he as brave, as he is smart"
Posted by: Vickie
Location: Wellington
on Sep 14, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Our hearts & prayers go out to the family of Dennis.God give them His strength & peace in coming days. We are very proud of all those who risked their lives.They & their families need our prayers too. The young people who caused this need to be held accountable in some way for this. God have mercy on their souls.
Posted by: Patron & Parent
Location: South Haven, Kansas
on Sep 14, 2008 at 07:52 PM
It is a shame that Mr. Rhoades lost his life behind a stupid stunt. Our emergenies workers risk their lives everyday and love doing it. But we one is hurt or dies from something stupid that could've been prevent it is a shame. All individuals that put these rescuers at risk should be held accountable for their actions. Its not like people in Sumner county and other counties weren't aware of the potential hazard surrounding us do to flooding. My heart goes out not only to to the Rhoades family but all emergency workers. Yes this could be a lesson learned but unfortunitly the youth and some adults these days have that attitude that nothing bad will happen to them. Again my heart goes out to the rescuers and their familes. I also hope to see charges files on all involved in the death of Mr. Rhoades because it was clearly preventable and caused by pure stupidity. Thank GOD no other deaths accured.
Posted by: Blackwell Lake Resident
Location: Brahman Okla
on Sep 14, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Our thoughts and prayers are with all parties concerned with this tragic event. May we all say our prayers for the volunteers, who serve our communities...proudly. If there ever was a "perfect storm", we experienced it, over the last several days. We live, further down stream on the Chikaskia river and seen first hand the damage done from this recent storm. Near Brahman, Okla.....nearly every single structure suffered some sort of water damage, with numberous structures being total loses and with several that were swept away.
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: Kansas
on Sep 14, 2008 at 07:24 PM
A man is gone forever. He gave his life, in an unselfish attempt to save others. He is no less than a HERO. I hope the teenagers appreciate their life.
Posted by: Shannon
Location: Kansas
on Sep 14, 2008 at 07:01 PM
Those kids should be charged for the rescue efforts and for the juvenile, your parents should be held accountable. That situation could have been worse. Pay attention and stop being stupid people when you see high water steer clear of it. Common sense tells you with all this rain we have had dont go down by the river. Again people should be held accountable!
Posted by: Liz
Location: Conway Springs
on Sep 14, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Thank you to all that saved those idiots that got themselves stuck out there. I am truely sorry that my some of my family put you all in danger. Thank you again.
Posted by: kayla
Location: argonia
on Sep 14, 2008 at 05:11 PM
This man was very important to our community.. im sorry he is no longer in it.. I love you dennis. im sorry you suffered
Posted by: Teresa
Location: Wichita
on Sep 14, 2008 at 04:50 PM
Why were they in the water like that anyway, especially with all the rain we have had????? Sorry to hear about the person who lost there life trying to save a bunch of idiots. Parents didn't you teach your children not to go into swollen rivers????? DUH
Posted by: chris
Location: kansas
on Sep 14, 2008 at 01:56 PM
id like to say i do alot of storm spotting and the one thaing we tell every on stay a way from flood waters they are killers and those people that went rafting for fun just took a mans life cus he likes to help people now it took one man to help save these kids and it seems like no one cares i lived in the little town of arogina for 5 or ten years and every on knows how that river floods and to stay away when it does id like to be there for the family of the one that died so i hope this a lesson to those kids and everey one who thought abought going playing on a flooded river or road
Posted by: Kandy
Location: Kansas
on Sep 14, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Someone died rescuing these teenagers who should have known better in the first place. Now this man's death will hang over them for the rest of their lives. Let this be a lesson to other teens...floods are not something you mess with
Posted by: Cindy
Location: Ohio
on Sep 14, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Plz Thank all who helped with this rescue, that's my family in the water, Plz keep us all updated on the outcome and aftermath
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: Kansas
on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:03 PM
A little girl no longer has a dad. I hope the "juveniles" appreciate the cost of others, so they could live. Thank You Dennis!
Posted by: Shawn
Location: Argonia
on Sep 14, 2008 at 10:48 AM
To whom it may concern. My heart goes out to all the family and friends of Dennis Rhodes who lost his life giving all he had to save others. This commuity has lost a friend, a beacon, a guiding light for following his own instincts of selfless sacrifice. Many of us will miss Dennis. This will have a remaining effect in Argonia...... This family needs a community to congrigate together for the expenses. Several donation points throughtout Argonia area will be available for contributions to assist the family for expenses. Please, we need your help. Please send all donations to the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, 101 South Main Street, Argonia, Kansas 67004. Thank you in advance for all your help. Friends of Dennis Rhodes.
Posted by: .
Location: kansas
on Sep 14, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Idiots should be charged the expense associated with the rescue. Don't enter high water, folks.
Posted by: Dan
Location: Wichita
on Sep 14, 2008 at 05:21 AM
I recommend to stay away from those type of situations. If you are taking risk doing stupid things,then you will be risking others lives that are trying to save yours. Common Sense will usally keep you safe!
Posted by: Beth
Location: Washington
on Sep 14, 2008 at 01:20 AM
All are safe!!! Thank God!!! Thank You to all that helped
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: KANSAS
on Sep 14, 2008 at 01:16 AM
One of the rescuers was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Wichita after attempts to resuscitate him at the scene appeared unsuccessful. Please pray for him. He is a close family friend, and we love him. Please pray that he survives. Please.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Thank God and thank you to all the rescuers that put their own lifes on the line! Its comforting to know we have rescue teams that care! thanks again
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: sumner county
on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:48 AM
I dont have family in the water but my heart goes out to those that do. You are in my prayers!
Posted by: Michael
Location: wichita ks
on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:38 AM
plz get them out thats my girlfriend and best friend and other frinds get them plz
Posted by: Heather & Josh
Location: Alaska
on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:37 AM
Please update ASAP... we are anxiously waiting to hear if our family is okay.
Posted by: Andria
Location: Argonia
on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:35 AM
My husband is a volunteer Firefighter in Argonia, a father of four. Please any updates would be appreciated.
Posted by: Grandma
Location: California
on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Please pray for these young people and the rescuers and their families. 2 of them belong to us, and their Mother and sister are in Viola and frantic.
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: usa
on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:04 AM
when might we hear an update?
Posted by: Beth
Location: Washington
on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Plase get them out safe!!! This is my family. Thank You to all that are risking thre lives to save these precious people.
Posted by: ****
Location: kansas
on Sep 13, 2008 at 11:22 PM
those people are my family pls get them out safe!!!!
Posted by: Bethany
Location: Wichita
on Sep 13, 2008 at 11:13 PM
God Bless these people and their families. I hope they all can return home safe and sound. Thank you to all the rescue crews who are risking their own lives to help as well. God bless! |
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Dennis was a brave heroic Christian. As he stepped into the water, I am sure he feared no evil. As he volunteered to go into the river, he showed mercy for the 8. A good samaritan. As a close friend, I will deeply miss him. My hometown will never be the same. Since one of Dennis's core values was the Christian religion, his burdens are lifted and he is now in good hands. As for the 8 trapped on the river, we don't have to forget this, we have to learn from it, but we do have to forgive. This is one of Dennis's core values. For the family and friends, the rescue workers, the emt and hospital staff, all of you will be added to my prayers.
To the kids- Use this lesson, grieve, and learn from it. Be better for it. To Dennis' Family- I thank him for trying to save people he didn't know. I don't know if I would have been strong enough to do the same. Thank you, Dennis. To the others- Thank you for trying and for getting the kids out of the waters. If not for you, there may have been more life lost than Dennis. It's not your fault he didn't make it out either. To everyone posting nasty comments- It was a mistake, a hard one, but one that can be learned from. Pointing fingers will not help anything. TEACHING gives knowledge, knowledge is power to the powerless. These kids are armed with more knowledge than they ever wanted. Now help them USE IT FOR BETTER IN THE FUTURE, or simply shut up. Your comments serve no purpose other than to cause more pain, and I believe there is enough pain from this tragedy to last a lifetime.
to bad those stupid people had to kill someone to have some fun... I'm a first responder and it's to bad people make bad decisions
I guess it depends on who knows whom. The people who know the kids are saying poor rafters, they made a mistake, let it go. The ones who knew Dennis have a different view.
btw...the guy didnt have to get rescued again. the water was so slow he just walked out there and got it. Get your facts straight
Isn't it God's place to judge. How many people have NEVER done anything stupid. How many of you that are passing judgement are SURE that your child will never be in any similar situation, whether it involve water or simply getting into a car and hitting someone on "accident" This is why they are called accidents. I am sure that those kids didn't say "Hey, let's go rafting and get someone killed" Yeah that was their intention when they first sent down there, NOT. As a parent, I only hope that my child doesn't look at a situation like that and think that the rushing water looks fun. I am sure that when they put that raft in the water, they had no intention of putting their life or anyone else's in harms way. I know these kids and they are good kids who make mistakes. There was one "perfect person on this earth" Last I knew he died on a cross, so that our sins could be forgiven. The kid that went back for the raft. Everyone deals with grief differently, it's not right OR wrong.
To Dennis and family,You guys are in our thoughts and prayers. Dennis is more than just a hero. He had something that half of us don't have. I can only guess that he risked his life, helping and saving these young people as something he loved doing. From what he did for my sister, cousin and friends, he would have wanted anyone to do the same thing too for his daughter or anyone's child. Everyone should help everyone despite whatever the situations are. This tragdy should bring us all together to grieve, not to play blame game or be hypocritical. Yes, these young people made a bad choice and yes, they do feel bad. I know my sister, my cousin,and friends; they will live with this guilt for the rest of their lives. They wont see life the same way before. Thats why i say Dennis is more than a hero, he gave these young people more than just another day to live, risking his life for them. Thank you Dennis and those people that tried to save them. Deep appreciation to all of you that night.
My husband is a volunteer fire fighter and in no way would he EVER want me to blame the other person for his death. He always says that it is just my job. He loves being a fireman. The other day he was called out on a water rescue, hmmm should I sue that person for putting his life in danger? I know there are alot of people grieving but blaming the kids insn't going to stop the pain. All fireman/police/emts are heroes and they put them selves in harms way on every call. Please everyone just leave this alone and let Dennis rest in peace as he should.
Those of you so who are so quick to judge the person who might have came back to the river to get the raft have you ever heard of being in shock. When you are in shock you act normal but don't do normal things. Yes these kids should be held accountable for getting in the water but not for the man getting in the water. From my undertanding the children were screaming at him not to come in the water. So should all the volunteers that were there sue them for money? There are alot of different stories to this tragic accident and none of us know the whole story. I have heard alot of bad things about this accidnt but I wouldn't dare post it because it is all hear say. From reading the two post from Dennis' family it sounds to me that Dennis was a caring person and so is his family. So those of you trying to stir the pot or make the adults who were on the raft feel worse then they already do get a life! Use your energy to help Dennis' family and stop wasting it on here being rude!
The agree that the "Adults" that went rafting should pay for their actions. Sued for Dennis' death. The money should go in a trustfund for his daughter. In my experience, the ones who are the cause of a death forget over time, but the family of the lost loved one, remembers the absence forever.
The kids did not set out to hurt anyone. Many times we try to find someone to blam for a bad situation, when all and all, it was just an all around bad situation. My sympathy goes out to those kids and what they are dealing with now. As a firefighter I know how it is to do the best you can with what you have to work with. God bless my brother firefighter and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
It was truly a tragedy of what happened. But it saddens me to see everyone saying ease up on those kids. Did you know one of those kids came back the next day to get the raft and had to be rescued again. Didn't seem to me that he was grieving too much!! He has been running around Argonia since it happened, I don't believe it has phased him or those other kids one bit. Dennis was a hero. We are a very small town and are not equiped like the big towns are. We do what we have to in Argonia. Shame on all of you who are condemming Dennis.
Those ADULTS, considering that they are over 18, should be held accountable for the death of dennis. They are not gonna learn from there stupid mistakes if there isnt any punishment for what they did. And one of those ADULTS did not care at ALL after being informed that someone had lost their lives trying to save them, stating "i dont care". and you say that these ADULTS feel bad for what has gone on? Then why would one of them go back to the river the next day to look for a stupid pair of glasses! None of those ADULTS will ever be half the loving and caring person dennis ever was! Thank you Dennis...We all love you!!
I am Randy Rhodes, Dennis’s brother. I have been a volunteer for several years. I started as volunteer fire fighter with the Argonia Fire Department. I then became a Volunteer Fire Fighter/EMT with the Mulvane Emergency Service for eleven plus years. I am currently a volunteer fire fighter for the Cypress Creek Volunteer Fire Department that is located on the Northwest side of Houston, Texas. At the time this event was taking place I was on call at Station 24 assisting in delivery of a baby girl during Hurricane Ike. I would like to thank all of the volunteers and paid professional that risk their life, dedicated their time, skills and expenses that assisted with the rescue of the four Conway Springs teenager and one Argonia teenager that was trapped on the Chikaskia River. I would also like to thank all that assisted in trying to save my brother’s life. And to the five teenager that was trapped on the raft. I am very glad that you are all safe and alive.
As a family member of some of the young people who decided to take a raft down a flooded river I would like to say thank you to all the rescue workers who helped save their lives. You are all heroes! To Dennis' family we cannot find the words because there are none to express how sorry we are for your loss. I think Dennis has already forgiven these young people. there are all kinds of heroes and some of them were on that raft saving each other. We have no idea the horror they brought upon themselves. So please people let your souls shine though you condeming minds and give these heartbroken young people a chanch. They are truly very sorry.