Texas Police Officer who Went Missing in Flash Flooding Found Dead

A Texas police officer who went missing after severe flash flooding last week was found dead, his department announced Monday.

Odessa Police Officer Bailey Martin and some of his family members were on a trip to the Guadalupe River near Kerrville for the July 4 holiday when the flash flooding struck the area. Over 100 people died in central Texas from the flooding, according to the CNN.

"Positive identification and notification of next of kin were completed last night. Bailey is currently at a facility in Travis County," the Odessa Police Department stated in a social media post.

A department representative is working to have Martin released to his family and brought back to Odessa. Honor Guard members and officers close to Martin will stand over his casket and escort him home, the department stated.

"Our prayers go out to them and to everyone affected by this devastating natural disaster," the agency added. "At this time, all OPD officers are wearing mourning bands over their badges and all flags in front of OPD have been lowered to half-staff. The Odessa Police Department would like to encourage the citizens of Odessa to replace their porch lights with blue bulbs for the rest of the week in remembrance of Bailey."

Martin was born and raised in Odessa, and he was part of the department's 25th Session Academy in 2022. He aspired to eventually become a detective.