Teen's Final Act Brings Life-Saving Rescue Rings to Texas Lake

When a 5-year-old drifted into deep water at Lake Jacksonville this summer, her teenage cousin didn't hesitate to swim after her, and his final act of courage is now saving lives he'll never meet.

Rhilynn Myers, a 15-year-old Rusk High School sophomore, died on June 27 after rescuing his autistic cousin from Lake Jacksonville. The little girl had floated too far from shore on an inflatable device, and when Rhilynn's grandparents couldn't reach her, he jumped in to help.

"Me and my wife were both trying to save the little girl first, and we couldn't get to her," grandfather Jason Myers told CBS19. "Then Rhilynn tried to swim after her also, and that's where he started cramping up."

Rhilynn successfully brought his cousin to safety before calling for help. A nearby boater pulled him from the water and attempted CPR until first responders arrived, but the teen was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

His cousin survived because of him.

The Ripple Effect

In the weeks following the tragedy, Jason and Rhonda Myers approached Jacksonville city officials with a request: install rescue rings around the lake's swimming areas so others would have emergency flotation equipment within reach. The couple even offered to pay for the devices themselves.

City officials said no to the payment but yes to the idea. They found room in the budget to cover the cost and committed to making rescue rings a permanent safety feature at Lake Jacksonville.

"They didn't want us to have to carry that burden and worry about that," Rhonda Myers said. The rings will be positioned throughout designated swimming areas in the coming weeks.

Rhilynn's school community remembered him as someone who stood up for others long before his final heroic act. Rusk ISD described him as having "the biggest heart" and being a fierce protector of classmates. His coaches praised his determination and character.

For the Myers family, those qualities showed up when it mattered most. Now they're hoping other families never need the rescue rings but know they'll be there if tragedy strikes.

"Never think it can't happen to you," Rhonda Myers warned. "Never get so complacent in these types of situations that you think that something can't go wrong."

Each rescue ring placed around Lake Jacksonville will serve a dual purpose: emergency equipment that could save a life, and a tribute to a teenager who gave his own to protect someone he loved.