MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. – The body of a deputy who went missing after making an arrest has been found in the Tennessee River, authorities confirmed on Thursday night. Deputy Robert “R.J.” Leonard’s vehicle was discovered in the river, leading to a search that ended in the recovery of his body with the help of the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials had been searching for the deputy after he failed to respond to a status check following an arrest he made late Wednesday night. Leonard had responded to a report of a domestic dispute and had taken a woman into custody before his disappearance. His patrol vehicle was later found submerged in the river, with authorities now working to confirm the identity of a female found in the backseat.
The search led authorities to a landing near the bridge at the Tennessee River, where Leonard’s vehicle was discovered upside down and filled with mud. Officials noted that the landing could be treacherous, especially for those not familiar with the rural area. Meigs County District Attorney Russell Johnson suggested that Leonard, who was not from the area, may have been texting and radioing while driving in the poorly lit and unfamiliar location, possibly leading to his vehicle going into the water.
The deputy had only been with the force for a couple of months, having graduated from the training academy in December. According to Meigs County Sheriff Jackie Melton, Leonard was doing a “real good job” on the night shift. Leonard leaves behind his wife and three children, with Chief Deputy Brian Malone emphasizing the impact of his sudden loss on the community.
The recovery of Deputy Leonard’s body has brought a sense of sadness and loss to the tight-knit community of Meigs County. With the investigation into the circumstances of the deputy’s death ongoing, the community mourns the loss of a dedicated officer, husband, and father.