Robert John Leonard

Gender : Male

Age : 35

Race : Not Disclosed

Date : 02/14/2024

Location : Tennessee River

City : Not Disclosed

County : Meigs

State : Tennessee

Agency : Meigs County Sheriff's Office

Cause of Death : Drowned

Event : Vehicle crash during arrest

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Deputy Sheriff Robert John Leonard, 35, died on February 14, 2024, after his patrol vehicle drove into the Tennessee River, resulting in his drowning. Leonard, who had been with the Meigs County Sheriff's Office for only two months, had arrested a woman for public intoxication the night of the incident. The woman was handcuffed and died by drowning in the back of the cruiser. Leonard had recently started his position and was still unfamiliar with the county's landscape, which contributed to the tragic outcome. There were no body or dash cam videos available due to the county's lack of such equipment​.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/community-honors-life-of-meigs-co-deputy-who-died-after-driving-into-river-with-arrested-woman-in-backseat/51-b0d7faef-cde4-417a-83e6-219de7285755
https://www.odmp.org/officer/26788-deputy-sheriff-robert-john-leonard