South Charleston honors Franklin Grover with Civilian Heroism Award after Kanawha River rescue

South Charleston officials presented a Civilian Heroism Award to Franklin Grover on the council meeting agenda for his actions during a river incident on April 20, 2025.

The fire chief described the April incident on the Kanawha River in which a kayak flipped, leaving two people in the water. According to the chief’s remarks, one person perished and a second person was rescued after Grover — who was nearby at his residence — entered the river, used his kayak to reach a drowning victim and kept that person afloat until the South Charleston Fire Department’s rescue boat arrived.

The award certificate reads: “Civilian Heroism Award presented to Franklin Grover in recognition of your quick heroic actions and extraordinary risk that you save a life from drowning in the Kanawha River until the South Charleston Fire Department arrived on 04/20/2025.” The chief and council members praised Grover’s quick action and the department presented the certificate during the meeting.

Council members and attendees applauded the action as an example of a civilian rescue that aided emergency responders. The meeting record includes expressions of gratitude and the chief’s account of cold water conditions during the incident.

The council did not take formal action related to the award beyond presenting the certificate and public recognition.