15-Year-Old Risks His Life to Save a Friend

 Dalton Cooke

Dalton Cooke

Not many 15-year-old kids are as calm under pressure as Fort Bragg High School student, Dalton Cooke.

“He risked his life,” explained his mother, Laurie Haney, “and in doing so, he saved the life of a close friend.”

Jordan Broyles

Jordan Broyles

On the afternoon of Sunday, February 12, Dalton Cooke and his friend Jordan Broyles sat on a ragged cliff near Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. While standing up, Jordan somehow stumbled and then fell over the side. (See photo below to get an idea of how far he fell.)

Dalton, though horrified at what was happening, bounded down the steep bluffs to get to the shore. There he saw his friend floating unconscious face down in the waves. Without regard for his own safety, he jumped in the water and swam to Jordan. Immediately, he began tugging him to shore.

Nearby adults saw what was happening and reached Dalton’s side in time to help pull Jordan from the water.

Crowd of rescuers at the ocean

Crowd of rescuers who helped save Jordan Broyles. [All photos provided by Laurie Haney]

There, the 19-year-old Jordan began to recover consciousness and coughed up some water. “He was then flown to a Santa Rosa hospital where he was placed in a medically induced coma,” said Haney. “Miraculously, Jordan didn’t break a single bone.”

The young man didn’t get off completely without injuries. “He had to have some staples in his head and be monitored for pneumonia because of all the salt water he got in his lungs,” Haney explained. “Jordan is now home.” And, she said, the two friends recently got to spend the day together.

Haney said, she is very proud of him and thankful “he and Jordan both made it safely to shore.”

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31 Comments
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G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
7 years ago

Dalton you are a HERO!!Your quick action saved your friend god bless you!

cindy
Guest
cindy
7 years ago
Reply to  G-MAS

I agree with what G-mas said. Good Job Dalton

Passerby
Guest
Passerby
7 years ago

There’s no greater honor that accrues any citizen then to risk ones life to save another. Well done. Great story. Very honorable. Thanks for sharing RHBB.

Jacqulyn Ginn
Guest
Jacqulyn Ginn
7 years ago

That’s a brave young man. So glad things turned out well.

Beth
Guest
Beth
7 years ago

Wow! I remember when Dalton was a baby. Good job, kiddo!

homer
Guest
homer
7 years ago

Nice to hear a positive and great ending story. Friends are forever and in this case, beyond a lifetime.

Nonamegame
Guest
Nonamegame
7 years ago

Equal parts brave and stupid, mostly unbelievably blessed

:)
Guest
:)
7 years ago

Someones got a potential career with the coast guard!!! Super kick ass work Dalton.

Ursireyn
Guest
Ursireyn
7 years ago
Reply to  :)

Two bandmembers from Irie Rockers also assisted in this rescue. It was very taxing to get Jordan out of the water. Everyone is relieved that he made it, thanks to all rescuers.

Susan olsen
Guest
Susan olsen
7 years ago

Thats our brave downriver boy!!!!

Killapotomus
Guest
Killapotomus
7 years ago

Nice job dude ! Way to be an exemplary human being !

Laurie Jensen
Guest
Laurie Jensen
7 years ago

You are awesome Dalton

Ariana
Guest
Ariana
7 years ago

Wonderfully done young man! You truly are a hero!

Renae
Guest
Renae
7 years ago

What an amazing young man. 🙂 the world needs more people like you Dalton! You will forever be that families hero. 😀 Great job for staying calm in that situation. Great job parents for raising an amazing young man!!!!

Recognition
Guest
Recognition
7 years ago

I hereby would like to recommend Dalton Cooke for the medal of Valor.
Good Job Dalton!

G.
Guest
G.
7 years ago

Dalton you are a real life Hero and a true friend!!!! A friend anyone would be blessed to have, Never change!!!! Sending love and respect to you and your family along with Jordan!!!!

Shak
Guest
Shak
7 years ago

Outstanding efforts by all the rescuers, with extra applause freely & loudly offered to Dalton. Absofrickintastic!

Z
Guest
Z
7 years ago

Thank you to all the rescuers and a special hats off to Dalton for his rushing down the cliff & into the ocean. I’m very glad Jordan is recovering.

Mimi
Guest
Mimi
7 years ago

Dalton, your Life is changed forever by this event…Special will follow you all the days of your Life. Love to all

Gypsy Rose
Guest
Gypsy Rose
7 years ago

Dalton you have a very special spirit. Don’t let anyone or anything ever take that away from you.
Bless you little one.

fellow human
Guest
fellow human
7 years ago

Kudos to the young man for his outstanding actions!

local
Guest
local
7 years ago
Reply to  fellow human

of course, no one mentions that they were doing whippits when this all went down. scary stupid.

VFF
Guest
VFF
7 years ago
Reply to  local

Supposition? Or were you there and did nothing but compose you troll post?

Passerby
Guest
Passerby
7 years ago
Reply to  local

Lol. Yeah well doing stupid shit is in our nature. Still he showed enough guts and fortitude to risk his life to save his buddy. High honors in my book. Whip it’s or not. Lol.

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
7 years ago

Good job Dalton. Your heroism and bravery give me hope for the future of us all. Good luck to you, Jordan. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Lorrie
Guest
Lorrie
7 years ago

What a wonderful young man! May your life be blessed.

Angela Gabler
Guest
Angela Gabler
7 years ago

I used to babysit this guy and now he’s a remarkable selfless young man. So proud of you Dalton!

mendocino mamma
Guest
mendocino mamma
7 years ago

OMG!!! This made me cry. Such a beautiful act with amazing results! In the chance to help being a hero is not thought of. Dalton your selflessness is beyond measure.

Humboldt Granny
Guest
Humboldt Granny
7 years ago

We need more Daltons in this world.

Annie
Guest
Annie
7 years ago

Thank you for being the hero you are! You have a new “family” for life! You are an amazing young man who risked his own life to save that of another, May God bless you! Jordan’s very grateful great aunt (Annie)!

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
7 years ago

Nice to read of a happy ending. Way to go, Dalton. Glad to know such courage is still out there. You can spend a lifetime searching for a true friend. Jordan scored early in life. Lucky in so many ways. Every day’s a gift, dude. You know that now, if not before.