Family and friends of the Texas National Guard member whose body was recovered near the U.S.-Mexico border paid their respects to him at a service on April 30.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Specialist Bishop E. Evans went missing after jumping into the Rio Grande to rescue a pair of unlawful migrants struggling to swim across the river. The unlawful migrants were trying to cross from Mexico into the U.S. but seemed to be drowning, prompting Evans’ attempt to help them.
Following a thorough search by multiple agencies, Evans’ body was recovered three days later, on April 25.
At the time of his death, Evans was part of the border security initiative Operation Lone Star. Fellow Guardsman Sergeant Levy Womble described him as a great person. “He was unique, he was young,” Womble said at the service. “He was just going into who he was.”
Another friend, Armand Patino, told NBC 5 that Evans was “always just so joyful to be around.”
Patino went to high school with Evans, and the two were in JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) together.
Sharing a fond memory of Evans’ lighthearted humor, Patino explained that when the JROTC members were supposed to be serious, Evans would joke,”‘You look a bit stressed out,’” then “put his hand in his pocket, pull out some Jolly Ranchers and say, ‘Here, have some candy.’”
Evans loved giving to others and putting smiles on people’s faces, Patino further said.
The services held in honor of Evans took place at the Koinonia Christian Church, the exterior of which was lined with flags. Family and friends were in attendance, as well as people who did not know the Texas National Guardsman personally. According to NBC 5, Patino, who had not seen Evans for almost a year, also attended.
After the church service, Arlington Police escorted a procession to the DFW National Cemetery.