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London Thomas

Age : 22

Gender : Male

Race : Unknown

Date : 04/13/2026

Location : Rock River near Illinois Route 2

City : Dixon

County : Lee

State : Illinois

Agency : Dixon Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Drowning

Event : Drowned during police chase

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 04/13/2026, officers with the Dixon Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle during a police pursuit in Dixon. Police said London Thomas fled from officers and entered the Rock River near Illinois Route 2 in an apparent attempt to escape. Authorities reported Thomas disappeared underwater and did not resurface.

Multiple agencies searched the river for several days using boats, drones, dive teams, and sonar equipment. On 04/17/2026, authorities recovered Thomas’s body from the Rock River near the area where he entered the water. Lee County officials later confirmed his identity.

Police stated the incident began as a vehicle pursuit and transitioned into a water recovery operation after Thomas entered the river. The Lee County Coroner’s Office investigated the death.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wifr.com/2026/04/30/missing-dixon-man-recovered-rock-river-near-sterling/