South Dakota boy who saved sister posthumously awarded Carnegie Medal

March 30, 2022

HUDSON, S.D. (AP) — A 10-year-old South Dakota boy who died while saving his younger sister in the Big Sioux River will posthumously receive the Carnegie Medal, North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism.

Ricky Lee Sneve (pictured) was on a fishing trip with his stepfather and siblings on the Big Sioux in Hudson last June.

Ricky’s 5-year-old sister fell into the water and Ricky dove in after her and was able to push her to the river bank.

Authorities say Ricky was caught in an undertow in deeper water.

Ricky was carried about 50 feet out and became submerged.