River Rescuers Recognized for 'Uncommon Bravery'

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns paraphrased the Greek dramatist Menander on Monday night at City Hall while recognizing seven heroes who stopped to help  in the Fox River.

"Let bravery be thy choice, not bravado," he told them. "And bravery certainly was your choice that day on Aug. 5."

The men—six from Naperville and one from Geneva—were on a bicycle ride along the Fox River trail, when they saw a man and a boy struggling against the current of the boil. The men called 911.

"At first, the bicyclists thought they were swimming but quickly realized they needed help," Geneva police Cmdr. Eric Passarelli said on Aug. 5. "Three of the bicyclists entered the river, and at about the same time, police and fire arrived and entered the river to help."

, 59, of Naperville died while trying to save one of the two 12-year-old Bolingbrook boys he had brought to the Geneva dam on a fishing outing. Suchy, Geneva police and fire department personnel and the bicyclists were able to save the boy.

"These men did not afterward go looking for praise or attention or accollades or recognition," Burns said. "(They) simply said, 'I did what I could. I did what anyone else would do. I'm just glad and happy that I could help.' "

The rescuers are Dion Powell of Geneva and Naperville residents Brian Beaird, Neil Gottermann, Dan Pucci, Gary McGregor, Larry Gerner and the Rev. Clint Roberts.

Roberts thanked the professional fire fighters and police officers, who chose not to be recognized individually.

"You were right there, and you gave it all that you had," Roberts said. "So thank you, for the team that you are."