Lewis Logan III said he felt like something weird was going to happen at work on Dec. 14 – but the Luling Elementary school teacher never could have imagined exactly how strange the day would turn out.
“Never in a million years would I imagine myself submerged in God knows what coddling a full-grown cow to keep it from drowning,” he said laughing.
Logan, a Destrehan resident who has been a teacher for nine years and at Luling Elementary for the past five years, said the school day began regularly with him gathering his own children together to rush them off to school before arriving at work to teach his students.
“The day was interesting, and I knew something was weird about the day, but I pressed on,” he said. “Fast forward to the end of the day and one of my parents whose son is a member of my Young Men of Luling Club informed me that there was a cow stuck on its side in the ditch by the fence.”
Logan said his immediate response was to call Bayer, because he believed that the situation was happening on their property and that the cows belonged to them.
“As I was waiting for my last young man to be picked up, the father parked his truck by the fence and called for help,” Logan said. “About ten minutes later I began to walk to my car and noticed the father, his son and a couple of my fellow teachers – Mrs. Saldana, Ms. Boyer and Mrs. Chaisson – discussing the status of the cow. As I got closer, I saw Ms. Boyer on the other side of the fence in an attempt to soothe the cow.”
When he approached the fence himself, Logan saw that the cow was so submerged in the mud that only one of its eyes and nostrils was barely above the water.
“In an effort to help I went to my car, put my phone in the front seat and changed my shoes to my ‘crawfish boots’ as my wife calls them,” he said.
After realizing he would likely not hear back from Bayer because it was after 5 p.m., Logan sprang into action.
“I slid under the fence to see how I can help,” he said. “At this point the cow had stopped fighting and I never heard it moo. In my first steps it felt like I was in quick sand and I began to sink. I then grabbed the top of my boot and raised my boot along with picking up a leg to move closer to the cow. Repeating this a few times I made it close enough to the cow.”
Because the cow was so submerged, Logan said he was unafraid of being harmed by the animal.
“I approached the cow from behind its head and once my legs sunk above my boots I knew I’d be here for a while and staying clean went out the window,” he said. “I further analyzed the situation and sunk down low enough to prop my knee under its neck and wedge my arm underneath its jaw bone to rest its head above water. Once I got my bearings, I asked my coworkers to call my wife because I knew I’d be late getting home.”
Logan laughed when he talked about how his wife, Shawntelle, responded to the news.
“She didn’t really believe it the first time my coworker called, but I had a good friend who was there to pick his kid up from aftercare and he walked to fence and said, ‘Hey Lewis, what are you doing in there?’” Logan recalls laughing. “I said, ‘Just trying to help his cow.’ So he called my wife and said, ‘Your husband is out here saving cows.’”
After consulting with the teachers and bystanders who were watching the scene unfold, Logan said it was decided that he would stay put to sustain the cow’s head above water until the Luling Fire Department arrived to help.
“A young fireman approached me with some wooden blocks to help hold its head above the water so I could get out and get home,” Logan said. “I’m grateful to everyone for the help and efforts to help this cow because no living creature should have to endure such fear alone. Living is living and God gave us dominion over this planet so I would love everyone to practice the Golden Rule – treat others like you want to be treated. This was definitely a team effort and in the spirit of love and peace, may we continue to work together to support each life the best way we can.”
Logan said he’s thankful that the other teachers and his club’s vice president Jonathan were there to encourage him.
“Thank you ladies for not leaving me there alone to care for the cow, hosing me down and giving me clothes so I wouldn’t be so dirty going home,” he said. “I would also like to thank Luling Fire Department and the sheriff’s department for jumping into action … and Shawntelle for letting me in the house.”
Great work, Bro. Logan! This young man is a servant from the heart and always gives without hesitation. Blessings to him and his family.
This is a teacher that I would hope would teach my grandchildren. A great example to us all!