BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — A memorial service was held Thursday, July 25, to honor and remember the life of Cody Jay Pope. Pope lost his life on July 12 after rescuing his 10 year old step-daughter and 6 year old son from the Mississippi River. Seconds after getting his son to the sandbar, Pope disappeared under the current. His body was recovered from the river two days later by the Wright County Water Patrol.
The service on Thursday at Living Word Chrisitan Center in Brooklyn Park was not only a time to mourn for the couple hundred family and friends, but a time to celebrate. Cody's girlfriend Cheryl Holzknecht spoke about the man she loved for eight years.
"Being on any body of water made him happy and brought out his spirit of adventure," Holzknecht said. "It's ironic how the water of the mighty Mississippi that he loved so much was also the same place where he showed his ultimate act of bravery and love."
She also talked about Cody's passion and skill as a carpenter, while recalling a funny story.
"As Cody and I spent more time together, I realized he was not just a carpenter, but a true craftsman," Holzknecht said. "We would be driving around our neighborhood and he would point out houses that needed something fixed," Holznecht said with tears streaming down her face. "And there were a couple times where he did go up to the door and he did fix something."
Cody's brother Jesse also spoke at the service. He wants his younger brother to be remembered for the way he treated others.
"He wanted to help people because he thought that was the most important thing he could do with his time here," Jesse said. "He always placed the well being of his family and friends above his own."
Cody embraced this until his final day, leaving this earth, a hero.