Water rescues common in New Mexico?

Steven L. Rogge was the 24th resident of the state of New Mexico to be awarded the Carnegie Medal. Rogge, 40 years old at the time of his heroic act, received the medal for his rescue of a 12-year-old boy from the tumultuous waters of the Animas River in Farmington’s Berg Park on April 14, 2013. In this he followed in the footsteps of New Mexico’s first awardee, C. William Lewis, Jr., who at age 14 successfully rescued an 18-year-old from the Pecos River in 1912. Six of the 24 medals awarded to New Mexicans involved water rescues. A year later Rogge pulled two more children from the Animas River during the spring runoff and resulting high water. He entered the water to his neck, grabbed both kids, and fought his way back to the bank with them.