Two former Humboldt State athletes died this month.

Carlos Francies, who went by the name Diamond Francies during his time as an HSU football player, died in an accidental drowning at Lake Tahoe on Thursday.

The 30-year-old Rancho Cordova native spent the last few years of his life working as a deputy for the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

Contra Costa Sheriff David O. Livingston said in a press release that Francies died a hero.

“Today we lost a dedicated Deputy Sheriff and a member of our family. Deputy Carlos Francies died doing what he was sworn to do: putting himself in harm’s way to protect the lives of others,” Livingston said. “He is a hero and an example of exactly what is right in law enforcement today. We mourn with his family, friends and colleagues.”

Multiple news agencies report that Francies attempted to save a family friend who fell out of a kayak and appeared to be in danger. After jumping into the water, the deputy became distressed himself. Francies’ girlfriend was eventually able to reach him with a life jacket, but he never regained consciousness.

The Sacramento Bee reports that Francies survived by his parents and multiple siblings, including his brother, former Oakland Raiders defensive back Coye Francies.

Former HSU track star and journalism student Pete Chenard also died recently of unknown causes. Chenard graduated from HSU in 1997 and worked as a graphics specialist for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

According to an HSU Journalism Alumni Newsletter, Chenard won an in-house award for best graphics and illustration in 2000. The former runner also placed first in the 2005 Trinidad Clam Beach 5K race.

Fellow San Diego Union-Tribune designer Ani L. Arambula posted a grief-stricken tweet about her friend last night.

Screenshot of Ani L. Arambula’s Twitter Page.