Crossing Guard Carries Student Through Flooded Chicago Street

Video of the heroic act goes viral, leading to a fundraiser for the crossing guard.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:31pm

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On a frigid Chicago morning, a crossing guard named Joe Sass helped a 13-year-old student named Josenrique Rodriguez get to school safely by hoisting him onto his shoulder and carrying him through a flooded crosswalk. A news helicopter captured the 90-second scene, which quickly went viral and led to a fundraiser for Sass that has raised over $8,000 so far.

Why it matters

The video highlighted the important, yet often overlooked, role that crossing guards and other school support staff play in keeping students safe and helping them get to school. It also sparked a outpouring of appreciation for Sass and others like him who go above and beyond in their duties.

The details

On a frigid Chicago morning, 13-year-old Josenrique Rodriguez was stalled a block from his school, Jamieson Elementary, staring at a mix of ice, snow, and puddles that threatened his new Air Jordans. Crossing guard Joe Sass, 44, walked over and asked if he could hoist the seventh grader onto his shoulder. Josenrique agreed, and Sass - stop sign in one hand, student over the other shoulder - carried him through the flooded crosswalks to dry pavement next to the school. Sass even bent down at one point to pick up a water bottle that had tumbled out of Josenrique's backpack.

  • The incident occurred on a frigid Chicago morning in January 2026.

The players

Joe Sass

A 44-year-old crossing guard at Jamieson Elementary School in Chicago who has worked in that role for over 4 years.

Josenrique Rodriguez

A 13-year-old 7th grade student at Jamieson Elementary School in Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“I like being a helper. I'm just a friend out here helping my neighbors.”

— Joe Sass, Crossing Guard (The Washington Post)

What’s next

A GoFundMe page set up by a friend of Joe Sass has raised over $8,000 so far. Sass plans to donate half of the funds to a local nonprofit that mentors young people, and use the rest to support local businesses impacted by recent immigration-enforcement actions.

The takeaway

This heartwarming story highlights the vital, yet often unsung, role that school support staff like crossing guards play in keeping students safe and helping them get to school each day. It also sparked an outpouring of appreciation for Joe Sass and others like him who go above and beyond in their duties.