A Greene County, Missouri Sheriff's deputy drowned when his patrol car was washed off the road by floodwaters Friday night.
Deputy Aaron Paul Roberts was found dead inside his cruiser following an extensive search involving multiple departments, according to The Springfield News-Leader.
Sheriff Jim Arnott told reporters that the 35-year-old deputy had just cleared a call, which was a 911 hang-up, when he radioed that his vehicle had been washed off the road at a low-water crossing on nearby Cabin Creek Road.
Arnott said the patrol car was taken a couple of hundred feet off the road, but the water was so deep that it was submerged for a time. A group of deputies and firefighters walking along the banks located Roberts more than an hour after he went missing.
Roberts was with the Greene County Sheriff's Office for about a year and had previously worked with the Willard Police Department.
"He was really happy to work here," Arnott said. "Even though he had been here a little over a year, everybody had kind of grown attached to him. He's got lots of friends here. Very good deputy."
Roberts is survived by his wife and their daughter.
Funeral Services for Deputy Aaron Roberts
Thursday, September 13th, 2018
Praise Assembly, 3535 N. Glenstone Ave Springfield, MO.
Public Visitation will occur from 12:30 to 1:30. Funeral Service will begin at 2:00 pm.
Procession and graveside service will follow at the Greenlawn Memorial Garden North, 3506 N. National Ave, Springfield, MO.
