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Remembering Everette Jackson: Community creates two-life jacket station on Payette River

Two life-jacket stations were unveiled on Tuesday to honor Louisiana native, Everette Jackson.

EMMETT, Idaho — On June 11th 2022, 21-year-old Everette Jackson died in the Payette River. His family is now left to mourn his death two years later.

Everette’s sister Monette Jackson said, “I know they say perfect isn't a thing, but he was truly an angel on Earth."

‘Love’ is the word Monette used to describe him.

“That's the only word that comes to mind. He is true, genuine, pure love,” Monette said.

Monette said his absence still weighs heavily on their entire family.

"It's definitely hard. One of the hardest things we've ever been through,” Monette said.

Two years ago on Tuesday, their family and many volunteers from all over Idaho searched for his body after he was last seen floating in the Payette River in Emmett.

"It was just a whole lot of praying. A whole lot of just praying, asking God to protect him. And if this is your will let it be done but give us the strength that we need to bring him, his body home to get that closure,” Monette said.

After eight days of searching, a volunteer found Everette’s body along the river caught on some brush.

“He went into the river on the 11th. We didn't find him until June 19. We’re just so thankful that God was able to give us that closure, my mom that closure, because I honestly don't know how she would be today if she wouldn't have gotten her baby's body back,” Monette said.

Monette said Everette was visiting his girlfriend who lives in Idaho.

"We definitely don't think anything was done wrong to him. Because I know the internet tried to make it a race thing. And that wasn't the case. It was just... I feel like when it's your time. It's your time,” Monette said.

What the family remembers most, Monette said, is how the community in Idaho rallied for her brother.

"Once the word got out that Everette was missing on the river, it was amazing. Like people were pulling up, they made sure we had everything,” Monette said.

Community support is still pouring in two years later.

Emmett resident Vickie Reed said, "It's our goal to never let this man be forgotten. You know, none of us knew him personally, and it's you know, we will never forget a man that we did not know.”

On Tuesday, Reed and Emmett resident Tina Waters honored his legacy with a balloon send off, speeches, and two life-jacket stations.

"We set up a life jacket station at Plaza Bridge, and we set one up at Washington Bridge in Emmet,” Water said.

"There was probably 30 people that showed up. Those people are very compassionate about what had happened,” Reed said.

It was an event, both Reed and Waters hope sends a bigger message to the community.

"You know if you go into the river where there's floaty tubing, anything, you know even in a raft... wear a life jacket, you know and just be safe. It's a really sad situation. We didn't fix it or make it better, but we definitely put some preventative measures out there,” Waters said.

It’s an effort Everett’s family appreciates.

"It was amazing. I'm so thankful for them,” Monette said.

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