An off-duty police officer was found dead hours after a wakeboarding accident at a Colorado state park.
Corporal Stephen Biggs, 41, a cop with the Pueblo Police Department since 2010, was found early Monday morning in Lake Pueblo State Park, the office announced.
The experienced member of the department’s SWAT team was reported missing on Sunday evening at around 5:30 p.m. local time after disappearing while out on his wakeboard, KMVT reported.
His body was recovered in just under 50 feet of water following an overnight search by Colorado Parks and Wildlife involving an underwater robot to reach him.
Touching photographs appearing to show Biggs, his partner, and daughter on a boat in the hours before the accident were shared on social media.
During his distinguished career, Cpl. Biggs received 10 letters of commendation, three Medal of Valor awards, and the Distinguished Service award, Pueblo Police noted.
“Working with Stephen was an honor, and his loss is deeply personal,” Pueblo Police Department Chief Chris Noeller said in the news release.
“His courage, dedication, and commitment to his fellow officers meant so much to our department. I was proud to serve with him, and I will miss him. My heart is with his family, his friends, and everyone in our department who is grieving his loss,” he went on.
Biggs’ patrol car will be parked at police department headquarters as a sign of respect, according to the statement.
Family and loved ones were seen embracing and leaving flowers and tributes on the vehicle, KRDO13 reported.
No further details have been released about the incident, which remains under investigation.
