In a devastating turn of events, Meigs County, Tennessee, is mourning the loss of Sheriff’s Deputy Robert “R.J.” Leonard, whose body was found after he went missing Wednesday night. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance and demise have left the community in shock and sorrow.
Deputy Robert J. Leonard Found Dead
The grim discovery unfolded as Leonard’s patrol vehicle was retrieved from the Tennessee River on Thursday. District Attorney General Russell Johnson revealed that the car, found near the Blythe Ferry boat ramp, was upside down with its trunk blown open due to pressure. Shockingly, a female body, covered in “a lot of mud,” was discovered in the back seat.
“We believe the body is that of a person whom Leonard had arrested and was taking to the jail when he was last heard from,” stated Johnson, though the identity of the woman has yet to be confirmed.
Leonard’s Final Moments
Leonard was last heard from after arresting an individual and en route to the jail. The incident began when he responded to a possible disorder on the Tennessee River bridge. Around 9:50 p.m., he informed dispatchers of taking a person into custody. However, 12 minutes later, communication ceased, with Leonard uttering a cryptic word over the radio, later determined to be “water.”
Adding to the tragic sequence of events, Leonard texted his wife a single word: “arrest.” Unfortunately, his wife’s response did not go through, marking his first arrest. Investigators later utilized her Life360 location-sharing app to pinpoint his last known location.
Meigs County TN Police Officer Missing Update
When Leonard failed to respond to a dispatch status check, various agencies from Meigs County mobilized to aid in the search efforts. The prevailing theory is that the incident was accidental, with District Attorney General Russell Johnson stating, “We’re operating under the theory that it was an accident, he missed his turn, he wasn’t familiar, and he was doing other things that may have caused him to go into the water.”
Scratch marks and skid marks at the scene suggest that Leonard attempted to apply the brakes, indicating a desperate effort to avert the tragedy.
Condolences and Reflections
Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett expressed condolences to the families of both Deputy Leonard and the woman found in the vehicle. Chief Deputy Brian Malone, emotionally addressing the situation, emphasized the impact on the Meigs County community: “It’s a hard time for us here.
It’s something we never deal with here in Meigs County. Deputy Leonard had only been here for a couple of months, but he’d become part of our family. At this time, I just ask that you pray for us.”
The loss of Deputy Robert J. Leonard has left a void in Meigs County, and the community mourns the tragic end to his night of duty. As investigations continue, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and the unfortunate discovery of the patrol car in the Tennessee River underscore the risks and challenges faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
