Staff Sergeant Eddison Hermond Jr. Remembered As Hero And Friend

SEVERN, MD — The National Guardsman who died in the Ellicott City flood was remembered as a friend and hero at a funeral service in Severn Thursday morning. Hundreds of his loved ones, many of them members of the military, joined together for a celebration of his life. Several dignitaries were also in attendance.

Staff Sgt. Eddison Alexander Hermond Jr., 39, died when he was swept up in the flood waters on May 27 in Ellicott City. He was trying to help a shop owner, who had climbed out her store window because the water was too high to use the door.

"Nobody outside knew I was in the store at all until I jumped out the window..." Clipper's Canine Cafe owner Kate Bowen told Patch. She was up to her waist in the flood waters when Hermond, whom she did not know, told her to stay where she was. He stepped off a ledge into the raging waters to help her and was swept into the Tiber River. His body was found two days later.

He received three medals for his valor at his funeral service and was also given the title of staff sergeant.

• The Soldiers Medal was given to Staff Sgt. Hermond for his heroism on May 27. "He is the epitome of the citizen soldier, always ready to help a neighbor or stranger," according to the presenter of the medal, which was authorized by the Secretary of the Army.
• The Meritorious Service Medal was presented to Staff Sgt. Hermond for his professionalism and exceptional service. The National Guard authorized the award with the note that in every unit he served, Staff Sgt. Hermond "always displayed a high degree of professionalism, technical expertise and dedication" to duty.
• The Maryland Distinguished Service Cross For Valor was given to Staff Sgt. Hermond after he "demonstrated personal courage and heroism by attempting to save the life of Miss Kate Bowen...as she struggled for her life against the rising current." The message with the medal said that "without regard for his own personal safety," Staff Sgt. Hermond called out to her to remain calm but was swept away by the current as he approached.

For attempting to save someone struggling for her life, immediately going toward her in the torrential flood waters, he was called the "epitome of the citizen soldier."

Family members laughed and cried at times during the 90-minute service. All of his aunts wanted to lay claim to being the favorite of Hermond, who was repeatedly described as someone who made everyone feel special.

"His death is a void that cannot be filled," one said. "In the midst of everyone's imperfection, he made you feel like you were perfect."

• 7 Things To Know About Sergeant Eddison Hermond

He served in the U.S. Air Force for a decade, starting in 1996, and joined the Army National Guard in 2009. As part of the National Guard, he was assigned to the training detachment at Camp Frettard, a military reservation in Reisterstown, where he was on active duty.

During his time in the guard, Hermond helped with the response to the Baltimore riots in 2015 and the Ellicott City flood in 2016.

Hermond was a junior; his father was also Eddison A. Hermond. Many family members, soldiers and friends joined together to celebrate the life and grieve the loss of the 39-year-old. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman and Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh attended.

"I never had the honor of meeting Eddie, but I know that he spent the greater part of this life serving his country, his state, and his community," Hogan said. "In the eyes of all of us, he will forever be remembered as a true hero. Today, we can take solace knowing that his memory will forever live on through his family and the many people whose lives he touched."

The celebration of life was held from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, June 7, at The Church at Severn Run. A funeral procession followed; interment was at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery.

RELATED:

• Memorial Scholarship Established For Sergeant Eddison Hermond
• Funeral Set For Staff Sgt. Eddison Alexander Hermond, 39
• Body Found Was Missing National Guardsman

Photo of Sgt. Eddison Hermond Jr. courtesy of the Howard County Police Department.

Watch the service, broadcast live by Fox 45: