WFLA

Body of missing Putnam County deputy found

WALALAKA, FL (WESH) — The body of a Putnam County sheriff’s deputy who fell into the St. John’s River while boating Friday morning was found Saturday afternoon.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Brandee Smith was on the boat with her boyfriend, and when they hit a channel marker in the river, the off-duty deputy was ejected from the vessel, WESH reported.

The the vessel was a 14-foot Skiff-Style boat. The incident happened around 4:30 a.m Friday.

The crash happened near Sportsman Drive in Welaka around 4:30 a.m. on Friday. Smith’s body was found by a dive team around 1:45 p.m. Saturday.

Smith has been a deputy with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office since 2012. Putnam Sheriff Jeff Hardy said Deputy Smith with an outstanding deputy and mother.WHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON RIGHT NOW: 

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