Police officers in Ocean City, Md. are mourning the loss of two of their own who were killed in a plane crash off the coast while off duty on Sunday.
The bodies of officers Thomas J. Geoghegan Jr. and Joshua D. Adickes were recovered from the wreckage Monday afternoon about 500 yards off the beach on the ocean floor, according to The Dispatch.
Police divers from the Maryland State Police and the Maryland Natural Resources Police worked in zero visibility and rough waters in search of the officers' bodies.
Officials with the U.S. Coast Guard had previously said that the two-seat, single-engine CJ-6A took off from Ocean City Municipal Airport prior to the crash.
The police department confirmed the death of the two officers shortly after their bodies were recovered.
"Both officers were very dedicated and courageous both on and off duty," a statement read of the department's Facebook page. "Their love of life was clearly demonstrated in their professional and personal pursuits. They exemplified the finest character and their passing is a tremendous loss to the Ocean City Police Department family.
Maryland State Police and Federal Aviation Authorities are currently handling the investigation.
