TEMPE, Ariz. — It's been two years since Sean Bickings drowned in Tempe Town Lake and still his family and friends continue to mourn his death.
"He helped me get away from a dangerous situation and kept me alive until I could keep myself alive," Monica Perry said.
"I spent the last four years of Sean's life with Sean," Austin Davis said. "I miss him dearly. I think about him all the time."
On Saturday, a vigil was held so those who knew him could remember and honor someone who they say put the lives of others before his.
"Sean has been the inspiration for my career to get my life together," Davis said.
Sean's mother, Turee Toro, spoke at the vigil while holding back tears. She says the pain she feels today, is just as strong as the day Sean died.
"It seems like yesterday, every day," she said. "He was a lovely young man. Not to say he didn't have his issues we all do. But, he did care about other people."
On May 28th, 2022, Tempe Police went to the Elmore Pedestrian Bridge for a possible disturbance between the 34-year-old and his companion. As officers ran their names, Bickings jumped in the water. Police transcripts show he begged for help, but it never came.
"For the past two years, I've stood hand-in-hand with (Turee) and have watched her suffer through this tragedy," said a close friend of Sean's mother. "She doesn't sleep at night. She has nightmares seeing her son drown."
In May 2023, a similar vigil was held at the same spot in honor of Bickings. At that time, those in attendance asked the city of Tempe to take preventative measures to make sure another drowning doesn't happen again.
Since then, the city of Tempe has made changes by training police officers, equipping officers with throw bags and installing life preservers. Those at Saturday's vigil say they're extremely appreciative of the action taken and hope the work to make the water safer continues.
"We've been advocating for more life preservers, for more trainings from the city of Tempe in order that nobody else has to drown in this lake behind me," Family attorney, Benjamin Taylor said.
It's why friends, like Jimi Flynn, gathered Saturday.
"The main reason for all of us is the same as his mother's," he said. "This was a real tragedy, and it was an avoidable tragedy. He had a way with people, a winning smile and an attitude that would make you love him in an instant. That was a great thing about him."
The city of Tempe saying information about the updates so far made to Tempe Town Lake and Kiwanis Park Lake since 2022 can be found here. They also released this statement:
"A lawsuit was filed against the City of Tempe in 2023 regarding the death of Sean Bickings. While we sympathize with those who mourn him, it is not our practice to discuss ongoing litigation. The city will not be able to provide interviews at this time."
Sean's family and friends also asking the city to do more when it comes to helping those who are experiencing homelessness. They say they'd like more resources available.
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