A multi-agency response crew has located and recovered the body of a drowning victim who went missing at approximately 3:00 p.m. on June 2 in the Rock River, adjacent to Highway N in Jefferson. The body was recovered at approximately 3:30 p.m. on June 3. The Jefferson County Medical Examiner is responding to positively identify the victim. The individual’s name has not been released pending next-of-kin notification.
From incident reports:
Two individuals were boating on the Rock River during the afternoon of June 2 when one person entered the water. The other boater called 9-1-1, and first responders arrived within minutes. The search began immediately and continued until 9:00 p.m., when it was suspended for the night. The search resumed at 8:00 a.m. on June 3 and continued until the individual was recovered.
The Sheriff’s Office urges all boaters to understand boater-safety laws, use personal floatation devices (PFDs), observe current weather and water conditions, and avoid entering water unless you are fully aware of the risks. The Rock River has cloudy water, potentially dangerous currents, mud, silt, tree branches, and other debris that can be hazardous to swimmers.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Jefferson Fire & EMS would like to thank all of the agencies from Jefferson, Rock, Waukesha, and Brown Counties that responded with personnel and equipment.
In addition to the City of Jefferson and Jefferson County, responders came from:
- Fort Atkinson
- Janesville
- JCEC
- Johnson Creek
- Lake Mills
- Lakeside
- MD-1
- Rock County
- Salvation Army
- Waterloo
- Western Lakes
- Western Waukesha
Special crews and equipment:
- ARGO amphibious XTV/UTV from Cambridge
- ATV from Sullivan
- Boats from DNR, Fort Atkinson, Janesville, Jefferson, Lake Country, Lake Mills, Rock County, Rock River Safety Patrol, and Western Lakes
- Robotic submersible from Green Bay
- Whitewater Surface Water Rescue
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.
