'He’s my guardian angel now': Family remembers man who perished rescuing children from Brays Bayou

The family of a man who perished while rescuing two boys in Brays Bayou remembered him as a hero, according to a report from Houston FOX affiliate KRIV. 

Miguel Calzada’s loved ones told the station he likely didn’t hesitate to save the children who fell into the bayou.

"I’m telling you, if he had the opportunity, he’d do it again,” Claudia Moreno said of her late brother, KRIV reported.

According to the report, he and a cousin were riding their bikes near Brays Bayou on May 10 when they caught sight of the boys falling into the water from a bridge near Almeda Road and MacGregor Way in the vicinity of Hermann Park.

“Miguel came right behind and saved the two kids,” Christian Murillo recalled, the station reported. “This was no accident.

“Miguel had just told me in the parking lot that he wanted to change his life and be closer to Jesus,” Murillo continued. “He’s my guardian angel now."

A nearly weeklong search began after the rescue, and on May 10, authorities found a body that was confirmed to have been Calzada’s, Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported.

Per the station, a Houston police officer commended the Alvin Community College (ACC) student’s actions in a report.

"He risked his life to save these kids,” the officer said, the station reported. “He did everything he could.”

KRIV reported that the Rosharon-born Calzada majored in information technology (IT), business and accounting at ACC, with a semester remaining before his slated graduation.

“We will always feel very proud of all of his accomplishments,” his family said in his obituary that was published on the Dignity Memorial website. “He touched many people in this life.”

KRIV reported funeral services for Calzada were held on Thursday at Forest Park South Funeral Home in Pearland.

He was then interred at Paradise Cemetery South, according to his obituary.