On 2-16-2011, Hale County 911 notified Officer of a missing person in Martin Slough on the Black Warrior River. Upon arrival at Martin Slough while Officer was escorted by a Hale County Sheriff's Deputy to the scene, Hale County 911 called to inform him that the body had been recovered by a diver at 7:57 pm. body was transported to Lock 8 Park by divers.  

Upon arrival on the scene, Officer observed an 18' aluminum Lowes fishing boat at anchor, approximately 50' from shore. Officer found two empty Bud Light beer cans and a cooler with 9 full Bud Light beers inside on the vessel. After taking pictures of the boat, Officer took it to Lock 8 Park. The owner of the boat was transported by Hale County Sheriff's Office to the Moundville Police Department to determine blood alcohol level. The test for blood alcohol level was not successful and Operator was transported back to Lock 8 Park. 

Officer interviewed Operator at Lock 8 at approximately 9:30 pm on 2-16-2011 and again on 2-19-2011 at 10:00 am at the Hale County Jail.  Operator stated that he and Victim launched his boat at Lock 8 at approximately 1:45 pm. He stated that they fished the Dead River and inside Martin Slough but could not catch any fish so they decided to anchor the boat, drink beer, and huff air duster. Operator claimed to have consumed about 7 beers and stated that Victim had consumed a couple more than him.  Operator said that around 3:20 pm they were joking and trying to guess the time. According to Victim's mother, she talked to Victim by cell phone at 4:10 pm until 4:16 pm. Operator said that after talking to his mother, Victim was sitting on the bow of the boat with his back to the water. Operator also stated that he was sitting in the pedestal seat on the bow platform and that he and Victim were "hitting the air duster". 

Operator said that Victim made the comment that he needed to get off the bow of the boat before he fell into the water. Operator stated that he hit the air duster too hard and passed out. When he woke up, Victim was gone. He stated that he yelled for Victim and tried feeling around the slough bottom around the boat with a fishing rod. Operator called his girlfriend and his father. Operator's father called 911 around 5:04 pm. first Responders arrived on scene by boat and took operator to shore to be checked by EMS.

An autopsy was performed by the Department of Forensic Science and cause of death was consistent with drowning.

Akron                         