RedactedNarrative: Operator had a phone conversation with Son while operating a 12 foot rowboat to access his residence in Spoon River flood waters in Bernadotte Illinois. He reportedly was retrieving medication by launching his small john boat from Tarters Ferry Road and rowing approximately 100 yards to his yard. A short time later, a neighboring resident heard him calling for help and launched a canoe in an attempt to locate him shortly after 7:00 pm on 02-24-14. He was observed by two people, clinging to surface ice southeast of his residence. When the intended rescuers were approximately 30 feet from Operator, he slipped under the water surface. There was a strong current in the flooded field pushing west to east. At the east end of the open water was surface ice several inches thick. Emergency responders arrived later and conducted a search by probing the area, but were unable to locate the victim or his watercraft. The search was resumed on 02-25-14 but remained unsuccessful. Water levels were expected to recede and the search for Operator was ongoing. 
  
  On 02-26-14, CPO located a 12'' aluminum rowboat under 6 inches of ice utilizing a metal detector. Copperas Creek Fire Department Dive Team recovered the boat 11:25AM. The boat displayed IL 6004 EA as a registration, but no return was found in a computer search. No HIN, capacity plate, nor manufacturer information was found on the older boat. One oar (paddle), one glove, and a baseball cap were found in or near the boat. 
  
  On 03-08-14, at approximately 2:45pm, CPO located the victim of the boat accident that happened on 02-24-14 in Bernadotte Illinois (Fulton County). The missing man (boat operator), Operator was located while the CPO was conducting a ground search of the area near the last location he was seen. His body was found mostly covered with ice near a fence row, approximately 30 yards northeast from where his boat was recovered from the ice of frozen Spoon River flood waters. Fulton County Sheriff''s Department Deputy was contacted. He notified the Fulton County Coroner who arrived on scene at approximately 3:45pm. He pronounced, Operator as deceased at approximately 4:00pm. The boat accident investigation is now final, with a single fatality. 
  
  The Fulton County Coroner conducted an autopsy and determined cause of death as drowning. There was also indications of hypothermia.