Meigs County, TN (WOKI) One body is recovered, and a Meigs County Sheriff’s Office deputy is still missing after arresting a woman Wednesday night.
Multiple agencies are collaborating in the search for Deputy Robert J. Leonard who officials say took a woman into custody around 6:00 p.m. Wednesday night on Highway 60, then crashed his car near the Blythe Ferry boat ramp.
Leading the investigation is the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, but several other agencies, including the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Tennessee Highway Patrol, are helping in the search.
In a press conference Thursday afternoon, District Attorney Russell Johnson said Deputy Leonard’s car was found in the water near the ramp Thursday. Leonard’s body was reportedly not inside the car, but the body of a woman believed to be the arrestee was in the back seat, Johnson said. However, sheriff’s office officials have been in contact with both Leonard’s and the arrestee’s families.
As for the details of what happened, Johnson and sheriff’s office officials said Leonard had arrested the woman, who has still not been identified, texted his wife about the arrest, then radioed to say he had a detainee he was bringing back.
About 12 minutes later, Johnson said, Leonard radioed again, in distress, and said something about water.
Upon finding the car, Johnson said the driver’s side window was open and Leonard’s body was not inside the car. Sheriff’s office officials said that they are hoping to find Leonard alive.
So far, sheriff’s officials said they hope the search for Leonard is a rescue mission, but it is possible that they are looking for a body.
Leonard had joined MCSO in December and was from New York, Johnson said.
