A 10-year-old boy named Ricky Lee Sneve tragically lost his life while saving his younger sister from a river in South Dakota. On a Saturday evening, Ricky, along with his father and siblings, were by the Big Sioux River when his sister, Chevelle, fell into the water. Without hesitation, Ricky jumped in to help her. He managed to push Chevelle safely to the shore, but shortly after, he disappeared under the water and did not resurface. A large-scale rescue operation was launched, and Ricky’s body was found about two and a half hours later.

Family members described Ricky as a kind and selfless boy who was always ready to help others. His uncle shared that Ricky would do anything for his family, never asking for anything in return. His mother said he was her best friend and the oldest of her four children. Ricky’s bravery and love for his family will never be forgotten.

The sun was still hovering low in the sky on that Saturday evening in South Dakota when the Sneve family gathered by the Big Sioux River—a place where they had spent many days together, laughing, playing, and making memories. But this evening would be unlike any other. In a moment that would define courage and heartbreak forever, 10-year-old Ricky Lee Sneve made the ultimate sacrifice to protect someone he loved most—his little sister.

Ricky was the eldest of four children and a boy known by everyone who met him as selfless, kind, and thoughtful beyond his years. At just ten, he had already taken on the role of protector in his family. He had a quiet strength about him, the kind that didn’t call for attention but showed up when it mattered. And when the river current threatened his younger sister Chevelle, Ricky didn’t pause. He didn’t wait for help. He did what came naturally—he acted.

Chevelle had fallen into the river unexpectedly. The current of the Big Sioux, though peaceful on the surface, can be deceptively swift beneath. She was struggling, and panic had set in as the water pulled her further away. In that instant, Ricky saw what needed to be done. Without hesitation, he jumped in. He swam toward her, battling the river’s pull, determined to get her to safety. Witnesses recalled the incredible sight of Ricky pushing Chevelle toward the bank, ensuring she reached the shore where adults could grab her. And then—he was gone.

What followed was a frantic and heart-wrenching search. Family members screamed his name. Authorities were called. Emergency responders and volunteers combed the area. Boats, drones, and divers were deployed in a coordinated effort to locate the boy who had just performed a heroic act beyond his years. For two and a half hours, the search continued, hope flickering with every passing minute. And then, the heartbreaking discovery was made: Ricky’s body was recovered from the river. He had saved his sister but lost his life in doing so.

In the days that followed, the community mourned. News of Ricky’s bravery spread across the country. People who had never met the Sneve family found themselves deeply moved by the story of a brother’s love so powerful that it defied fear and instinct. Candlelight vigils were held. Memorial funds were started. Local churches offered prayers and support. Strangers sent letters and gifts. His name, once known only to family and close friends, became a symbol of selfless courage.

Ricky’s family struggled to put their grief into words. His mother, devastated, described him as her best friend, her oldest child, the one who always helped out with his younger siblings, who never asked for anything in return. He was, she said, the kind of boy who quietly made the world better, one kind act at a time. His uncle echoed the same sentiments. “Ricky would do anything for his family,” he said. “He never needed a reason to help. It was just who he was.”

At school, Ricky was known as a dependable student and a loyal friend. His teachers spoke of his bright spirit and his genuine concern for others. He was the kind of child who made sure no one sat alone at lunch. He shared his snacks, offered pencils when others forgot theirs, and always asked if there was anything he could do to help. Classmates recalled stories of him comforting others during hard times, offering his jacket when someone was cold, or giving away his turn so someone else could go first. These moments, small and easy to overlook, were the ones that painted the picture of Ricky’s everyday heroism.

In life, Ricky was the big brother every child would wish for. In death, he became a beacon of what it means to truly love. His act of bravery left a permanent mark, not just on his family, but on all who heard his story. People began writing poems and drawing pictures in his honor. Some shared their own stories of loved ones lost, finding in Ricky’s courage a way to express emotions they had kept buried. His story became one that transcended a single moment—it became a testament to the power of love, family, and sacrifice.

For Chevelle, now safe because of her brother, the road ahead will be shaped by the memory of Ricky’s final act. She is too young to understand all that happened that day, but she will grow up surrounded by reminders of her brother’s love. Her family will tell her of the boy who never thought twice, who jumped into a river to make sure she would live. She will know that her life is a gift from him, and though the weight of that knowledge will be immense, it will also be filled with pride and reverence.

The Sneve family, while broken-hearted, has committed to honoring Ricky’s memory by continuing to live with the same compassion and courage he embodied. They’ve spoken about establishing a foundation in his name to support water safety education and to provide assistance to other families affected by tragedy. It’s a way to ensure that Ricky’s story does not end at the river’s edge but flows forward, touching lives and inspiring others to act with the same fearless love he showed.

Tragedy often leaves behind questions that can’t be answered. But in Ricky’s case, one truth remains clear: in his final moments, he was exactly who he had always been—a brave, selfless, and loving boy who put his family above everything else. The river took him, but it could not take the light he left behind.

His name will not fade from memory. Ricky Lee Sneve will be remembered not just as a boy who saved his sister, but as a shining example of the quiet strength that exists in the hearts of those who love deeply and act bravely. His story will be told again and again—by his family, by strangers, by everyone who believes that heroes come in all sizes, and that sometimes, the greatest among us are the ones we lose too soon.