Deputy Texted Wife About Making His First Arrest Before Crashing into Tennessee River, District Attorney Says

Deputy crashed into Tennessee river.Photo:9ABC/Youtube

9ABC/Youtube

A deputy and a woman he had recently arrested were found dead in the Tennessee River late last week, according to the local district attorney.

Leonard, who had only been with the force for two months, had arrested the woman just minutes prior to the crash, according to a news release from the Tennessee Police Benevolent Association.

The deputy’s car “was located upside down in the Tennessee River” the following day, the TPBA said. The woman’s body was found in the backseat of the vehicle, and the deputy’s body was later recovered as well.

Deputy Robert John ‘R.J.’ Leonard, Jr.Tennessee Police Benevolent Association/Facebook

Tennessee Police Benevolent Association/Facebook

Leonard said he was taking a woman to the Meigs County jail 12 minutes before “an incomplete radio transmission was received” from his radio, during which he may have said the word “water,” according to the TPBA.

“This part of Tennessee is very isolated and rural, making it difficult at times for cellphone reception and the transmission of radio signals,” the TPBA said.

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The deputy’s wife responded either “That’s good” or “That’s great,” but Johnson said Leonard’s phone “did not evidently receive that text.”

“A search ensued” after further attempts to contact Leonard failed. Crews were led to the area near the Blythe Ferry boat ramp using “cellphone and tracking data from the app Life 360,” and eventually found the car in the water.

The deputy’s remains were escorted to the Knoxville Regional Medical Examiner’s Office after his body was recovered, according to theHamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Leonard, 35, “did construction for most of his life, until recently moving to Tennessee to pursue his dream of becoming a police officer,” according to hisobituary.

Public visitation for Leonard will be held Monday evening at the Meigs County High School in Decatur, and a graveside service will be held the following day at the Decatur Cemetery, according to theHamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

The woman’s body was also taken to the medical examiner’s office, WRCB reported.

Johnson said the woman’s body was handcuffed and covered in a thick layer of mud and silt upon discovery.

Another friend, Emilie Neusel, said Smith “had a heart of gold, and despite any struggles and troubles she had, she was a great person.”

Officials reported that “several other vehicles have rolled into the water” near the Blythe Ferry boat ramp, according to the TPBA.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

source: people.com