A Navy father of five is being remembered as a hero after he died while rescuing his 9-year-old son from dangerous surf off Kauai on Saturday, Nov. 22.
What began as a family outing at Barking Sands turned tragic when high surf pulled young Kamden Diaz into deep, turbulent water. His father, Master-at-Arms First Class Jeffrey Diaz, immediately swam out, lifted Kamden onto his back, and tried to bring him to safety.
“At one point, Jeff just took Kamden off his back and said, ‘Okay, Kam, I’m going to get you… I have to get you off my back because I’m going to drown.’ And he said, ‘You got this, I love you, don’t give up.’ That was his last words to our baby,” said his partner of 18 years, Keyonna Fairley. “All he wanted was to finish this tour, retire, and make his vows to me and his family.”
Jeff and Keyonna met in the Navy nearly two decades ago and raised five children together — sons now ages 29, 19, 12, 9-year-old Kamden, and a 5-year-old daughter.
“Kam wanted to help his dad so bad,” Keyonna said. “He told me, ‘I was so scared, Mom. I was scared I was going to drown if I went back and helped Dad.’ And I told him, ‘Son, you did exactly what Dad wanted you to do. He sacrificed his life for you because he knew he couldn’t come back.’”
Despite the heartbreak, Keyonna said she is staying grounded through gratitude.
“All I have is my memories and his spirit and his energy, and I feel it every day. That’s how I’m going to get through this,” she said. “I’m so grateful I still have my baby. We’re going to take our time and talk about Jeff every day so their baby sister remembers what an amazing dad he was.”
She also said the outpouring of support from the local and military community has been overwhelming as she works through funeral arrangements for Jeff.
Family friends shared heartfelt tributes:
“Jeff was one of the best men I had ever known,” said Julie Jackman. “He loved deeply, protected his family fiercely, and showed those babies what true love looks like. To Jeff, I would say, ‘Thank you for loving my best friend the way she deserved. You will be missed beyond words. You truly are a hero.’”
Keith Wilson also reflected on Jeff’s character: “To know Jeff is to love him. I met him in 2008 through Keyonna, and we connected instantly. He was hardworking, joyful, protective — the type of man any parent would want for their daughter. He died doing what he had to do to protect his youngest son. A true hero. His life ended so that his legacy could live on. Fair winds and following seas, Jeff. Job well done.”
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