Tennessee police have recovered two bodies in a patrol car from a Tennessee river, after a deputy and a woman he allegedly arrested disappeared late on Feb. 14.
The bodies were discovered the following evening, with Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) in Tennessee confirming that one of the bodies belonged to 35-year-old Deputy Robert “R.J.” Leonard.
“At this time, the HCSO is reporting that Deputy Leonard’s body has been found. His remains are currently being escorted to the Knoxville Regional Medical Examiner’s Office by motor units with the HCSO, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Chattanooga Police Department,” according to the HSCO’s post on Facebook.
“Sheriff Austin Garrett and the men and women of the HCSO would like to thank all our partner agencies who have dedicated many hours and resources to locate Deputy Leonard. We would also like to ask our community to keep the family of Deputy Leonard and his colleagues in the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,” the post stated.
Police said they believe the other body found belongs to the woman Mr. Leonard is alleged to have arrested on Feb. 14.
According to reports, Mr. Leonard responded to a call around 10 p.m that evening after an altercation was reported between a man and a woman on a bridge. According to Meigs County District Attorney Russell Johnson, the woman was subsequently arrested. Deputy Leonard did not respond to a subsequent status check, which prompted a search by authorities.
According to Mr. Johnson, Mr. Leonard, a rookie, contacted his wife by text shortly after arresting the woman. The text he sent, which may have been his last communication, said “Arrest.”
“His wife texted back and said, ‘That’s good’ or ‘That’s great,'” Mr. Johnson said, adding that the text message did not reach Deputy Leonard.
“We know that his phone did not, evidently, receive that text,” Mr. Johnson reported at a press briefing.
The final radio call by Mr. Leonard may have mentioned “water,” although this could not be confirmed with absolute certainty as the transmission was largely inaudible.
“Dispatch couldn’t tell what he was saying,” Mr. Johnson said. “We think he was saying, ‘Water.'”
The following morning, Mr. Leonard’s patrol vehicle was discovered by authorities in the Hiwassee River via satellite tracking. The body of a female was found in the back seat. Mr. Johnson added in the press briefing later that day that police are currently ruling out foul play, and believe the tragedy was accidental.
An investigation is currently underway into how the patrol car ended up in the river but, according to Mr. Johnson, a preliminary investigation revealed that it could have resulted from Deputy Leonard texting and/or radioing while driving in a poorly lit area.
“They [the roads] are not well lit. They are not well marked. They are narrow. If he’s not paying attention, he could hit that water pretty quick,” said Mr. Johnson.
“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,” Mr. Johnson said at the briefing.
According to officials, Deputy Leonard lived in the area with his wife and three children, and had only started his job a few months ago. He was not originally from the area.
“Deputy Leonard had been on the force about two months. He was doing a pretty good job. A really good job. It’s just hard when the department is like a family,” Meigs County Sheriff Jackie Melton said.
“His remains are currently being escorted to the Knoxville Regional Medical Examiner’s Office by motor units with the HCSO, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Chattanooga Police Department,” police confirmed.
