When he was in elementary school, an off-duty police officer saved Flick from nearly drowning.

"He was always in the wrong place," Walker said. "We always said we had a guardian angel. I guess the guardian angel was sleeping (Saturday) morning."

Flick, 19, of Cudahy, died after he was electrocuted and fell from a fourth-story balcony in the 1400 block of N. Farwell Ave. on the city's east side, Milwaukee police said.

Witnesses said Flick, who was a 2005 graduate of Cudahy High School, was at the building with friends when he wrapped his legs around the balcony's banister and, with both hands, grabbed nearby electrical wires.

Milwaukee Police Capt. Deb Davidoski said Flick appeared to have died from electrocution, rather than the fall. She said alcohol might have been a factor.

Friends said Flick told them Friday that he wanted to grab the power lines and that they discouraged him, according to Davidoski.

She said a young woman who reached out to stop him Saturday could feel the electricity surging through his body before she could reach him.

"It's a good thing she didn't touch him, or we'd have two people dead," Davidoski said.

Flick's family gathered on Saturday to remember Flick as a loving man, sports enthusiast and rising talent. His dream was to travel, marry and have lots of babies.

He also showed an interest in becoming a police officer.

"Andrew was remarkable," said Ruth Ann Flick, an aunt. "He could meet you, and you would feel like you instantly know him. He was a star. He was beautiful."

His mother said Flick had worked as a printer at a graphics business but was taking the summer off to think about the next step in his life and to spend time with friends and his new girlfriend.

"I love him," Walker said. "I just wish he wouldn't have done it. I just think he was trying to show off. He'd always say, 'It won't happen to me, Mom.' "

"You never think you're going to bury your son," she said.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=459309 This is the link to the story.

Submitted on 07/12/2006

Submitted by: Fred Caldero
Reference: milwaukee js online july 9 06

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
More background on this pending story. I had no idea he was such a hard luck case! :-) Darwin may want this in the event this story is chosen...!

Fitzroy said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Yep, this one has new information on a popular contender. Thanks for passing it along to us.

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