Officer Kevin J. Welsh Memorial Bridge

From http://www.mcjackie.com/welsh.html:

Officer Kevin J. Welsh of the Special Operations Division (SOD) was crossing over the 11th Street Bridge on Monday, August 4, 1986, on his way to the training academy at Blue Plains. He saw a woman jump into the Anacostia River in an apparent suicide attempt. Welsh and another officer jumped into the river to rescue the woman. The would-be suicide and the other officer would eventually make their way to the shore. Officer Welsh was seen going into the water but would not be seen alive again.

There was speculation as to what happened to Officer Welsh once he went into the river. Perhaps he hit his head on a rock or other debris in the river. Perhaps there was an undetected undercurrent that pulled him under. No one knew. He was reputed to be a good swimmer from what I heard, but still he drowned.

Officer Welsh died while trying to save a stranger from drowning. For that heroic act, Kevin Welsh became one of the most honored police officers in the city’s history. Officials from President Reagan on down praised the dead officer for his selflessness, bravery, and dedication. He was named Person of the Week by ABC’s Nightly News. The D.C. Council named a span of the 11th Street Bridge after him.