What Happened to Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Tyler Jaggers?

The United States Coast Guard announced the death of rescue swimmer Tyler Jaggers. The 2nd class petty officer died on March 5, 2026. Tyler joined the U.S. Coast Guard back in January of 2022, and he served at the Air Station Astoria base in Astoria, Ore.

Tyler was recognized for superior performance by the Secretary of Homeland Security when he was a crew member aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Legare during President Donald Trump's Operation Southern Spear, the U.S. military counter-narco-terrorism campaign in the Caribbean Sea. So, what happened to Tyler?

According to KOMO News, Tyler was injured while his crew responded to transport a stroke victim from a commercial vessel located 120 nautical miles off the coast of Washington on Feb. 27. However, the Coast Guard did not share specifics as to how Tyler was injured. Tyler was a member of the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew at Air Station Astoria, and he was promoted to Petty Officer Second Class and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after his injury prior to his death.

"Jaggers was injured while responding to a medical emergency aboard the commercial motor vessel Momi Arrow, located approximately 120 nautical miles west of Cape Flattery, Washington," read a statement from the Coast Guard. "Following the incident, Jaggers was transported to Victoria General Hospital in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, for initial treatment. He was subsequently transferred to Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Washington."

"During a ceremony attended by his family and fellow crew members from Air Station Astoria, the Coast Guard recognized Jaggers’ remarkable courage by meritorious advancement to Petty Officer Second Class and award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the highest military awards for heroism during aerial flight. He succumbed to his injuries and passed away shortly after."

"The Coast Guard mourns the passing, and honors the courage, of Aviation Survival Technician (AST) Tyler Jaggers," read the statement. "On February 27, he was critically injured during a medical evacuation mission offshore from Cape Flattery, Washington, and later succumbed to his injuries and passed away at Madigan Army Medical Center."

"Prior to his passing, he was meritoriously advanced to AST2 for his relentless drive in qualifications, the mentorship he consistently provided to swimmer candidates, and his exceptional performance across operational missions," it continued.

"Additionally, the Commandant of the Coast Guard awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross — one of our Nation’s highest awards for heroism in aerial flight. Through his selfless service and sacrifice, AST2 Jaggers exemplified the finest legacies of Coast Guard service, and the sacred oath of the Aviation Rescue Swimmer community: 'So Others May Live.'"

While the Coast Guard did not specify how Tyler was injured during the rescue mission, the board president and founder of the Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Swimmer Association, Rick McElrath, said that Tyler fell as he was being lowered from the helicopter to the commercial vessel's deck. He was on life support following the injury, and Tyler was about to propose to his girlfriend before his death. His family carried out the proposal for Tyler.

“What I didn’t realize was that he had recently told some of his closest buddies that he was getting ready to propose,” wrote his fiancée, Cassandra Weaver, on Instagram. “When they shared that with his family, his dad said something I’ll never forget: 'We all compared notes … and it’s what he wanted.' So yesterday, surrounded by the people who love him most, his family carried out the proposal on Tyler’s behalf. His dad placed the ring on my hand at his bedside."