Deputy Texted Spouse About Making His First Arrest Earlier than Crashing into Tennessee River, District Legal professional Says

The our bodies of Deputy Robert John “R.J.” Leonard, Jr., and Tabitha Smith have been discovered at some point after the officer’s automotive entered the Tennessee River

• The our bodies of deputy Robert John “R.J.” Leonard, Jr., and Tabitha Smith have been discovered within the Tennessee River on Thursday

• Leonard had solely been with the pressure for 2 months previous to the crash, based on the Tennessee Police Benevolent Affiliation

• District Legal professional Russell Johnson mentioned Leonard despatched a textual content message to his spouse about making his first arrest shortly earlier than the crash

A deputy and a girl he had just lately arrested have been discovered lifeless within the Tennessee River late final week, based on the native district legal professional.

The our bodies of deputy Robert John “R.J.” Leonard, Jr., of the Meigs County Sheriff’s Workplace, and Tabitha Smith have been discovered Thursday, at some point after the officer’s automotive entered the Tennessee River, based on NBC affiliate WRCB and FOX affiliate WTVC.

Leonard, who had solely been with the pressure for 2 months, had arrested the girl simply minutes previous to the crash, based on a information launch from the Tennessee Police Benevolent Affiliation.

Smith was reportedly arrested after Leonard responded to a disturbance name, per CBS affiliate WVLT-TV.

The deputy’s automotive “was positioned the other way up within the Tennessee River” the next day, the TPBA mentioned. The girl’s physique was discovered within the backseat of the automobile, and the deputy’s physique was later recovered as properly.

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“It is a exhausting time right here for us at present,” mentioned Meigs County Sheriff’s Workplace Chief Brian Malone at a press convention on Thursday, based on NBC affiliate WBIR-TV. “One thing we do not ever take care of right here in Meigs County. We’re a small, rural county, we’re not used to it.”

Leonard mentioned he was taking a girl to the Meigs County jail 12 minutes earlier than “an incomplete radio transmission was acquired” from his radio, throughout which he could have mentioned the phrase “water,” based on the TPBA.

“This a part of Tennessee could be very remoted and rural, making it troublesome at occasions for cellphone reception and the transmission of radio indicators,” the TPBA mentioned. 

Leonard additionally seemed to be texting his spouse across the time of the crash. At Thursday’s press convention, shared by WBIR-TV, District Legal professional Russell Johnson mentioned the deputy despatched a textual content that mentioned “arrest” upon making his first arrest since becoming a member of the sheriff’s workplace in December.

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The deputy’s spouse responded both “That is good” or “That is nice,” however Johnson mentioned Leonard’s telephone “didn’t evidently obtain that textual content.”

“A search ensued” after additional makes an attempt to contact Leonard failed. Crews have been led to the realm close to the Blythe Ferry boat ramp utilizing “cellphone and monitoring information from the app Life 360,” and ultimately discovered the automotive within the water.

The deputy’s stays have been escorted to the Knoxville Regional Medical Examiner’s Workplace after his physique was recovered, based on the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Leonard, 35, “did development for many of his life, till just lately transferring to Tennessee to pursue his dream of turning into a police officer,” based on his obituary.

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He additionally liked sports activities and the outside, “however most of all he liked spending time together with his household.” He’s survived by his spouse Christina and their 5 youngsters.

Public visitation for Leonard might be held Monday night on the Meigs County Excessive College in Decatur, and a graveside service might be held the next day on the Decatur Cemetery, based on the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

The girl’s physique was additionally taken to the health worker’s workplace, WRCB reported.

Johnson mentioned the girl’s physique was handcuffed and lined in a thick layer of mud and silt upon discovery.

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Sheena Mchome described her buddy Smith, who was additionally 35, as “a contented particular person” who was “outgoing” and “liked life,” based on CBS affiliate WVLT-TV.

One other buddy, Emilie Neusel, mentioned Smith “had a coronary heart of gold, and regardless of any struggles and troubles she had, she was an awesome particular person.”

Officers reported that “a number of different autos have rolled into the water” close to the Blythe Ferry boat ramp, based on the TPBA.

“It may be a really harmful spot for people that are not native,” Decide Casey Stokes mentioned at a press convention, based on WBIR-TV.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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