SHREVEPORT, La. – The body of Shreveport City Marshal Charlie Caldwell Jr., 55, has been recovered off the coast of Florida.
The marshal’s office said in a news release Saturday morning a kayaker discovered the body in the Gulf of Mexico.
Caldwell fell overboard from a boat while on vacation near Destin, Florida, Thursday evening.
Destin Fire Rescue (Photo via WEAR TV)
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Caldwell leaned over the left side of his vessel to retrieve his hat, lost his footing and fell in the water northeast of Crab Island in Marler Bayou.
Melissa Smith, a spokeswoman for the state agency, said Caldwell went under the water and did not resurface.
The Coast Guard, Florida wildlife agents and the Destin Fire Department were involved in the search for Caldwell.
“We continue to ask everyone to keep Marshal Charlie Caldwell Jr.’s family, the Marshal’s Office and all his friends in your thoughts and prayers. We also ask for you to respect his family’s privacy during this trying time” the marshal’s office said. We “will release any additional updates and funeral arrangements once available.”
