Over the past years, Shivy’s social media has been filled with tearful heavenly birthday wishes, a first day of school, Father’s Day thoughts to other dads “that can’t hug their babies,” and an April 8 clip where he’s about to break his “younger son’s heart by telling him his big brother won’t be coming home.”

And though nothing can take away the shattering heartbreak, Bryce’s dad is extremely proud of his son, whom he called his “baby boy.”

“Bryce is a hero. He literally saved the lives of four kids at the expense of his own,” Shivy shared.  “We’re never gonna get to see Bryce grow up to be the full man he was going to be. But we know that he stepped into his manhood to save these children and that makes me proud.”

His mother, Crystal, adds, “It doesn’t take away an ounce of pain, but it makes me proud of our son and what he sacrificed. And I’ll forever hold that.”