Dalton Man Found Dead in Polk County Lake

Officials search for a missing boater in Parksville Lake, who they would later find dead. (Courtesy: TWRA)

BENTON, Tenn. (WDEF)- A 57 year old man from Dalton has been found dead after an extensive search at Parksville Lake in Polk County yesterday evening, August 15.

Officers were first called to the scene at 3:08 PM after receiving reports of a boat that was unoccupied going around in circles just off of the East Parksville boat ramp. Other boaters were able to climb the boat and guide it to shore.

Rescuers from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) along with the Polk County Fire and Rescue, Bradley County Fire and Rescue, Hiwassee Dam Fire Department and the Under Water Recovery Team of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department canvassed the lake for several hours searching for a missing boater. A Remote Operated Vehicle was used by the TWRA, which located the body of 57-year-old Billy Calhoun from Dalton. Calhoun was submerged under 36 feet of water and was recovered by the Under Water Recovery Team of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department.

Calhoun’s body has been transported to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center in Knoxville. Officers confirmed he had gone boating by himself without wearing a life jacket or kill switch. This is the 24th fatality on Tennessee’s waterways in 2022.