Search ongoing for missing Meigs County Deputy

UPDATE:

We are learning more about the Meigs County deputy who went missing overnight.

Crews have retrieved deputy Robert Leonard’s patrol car out of the Tennessee River, according to District Attorney Russell Johnson.

Authorities said in a press conference that a body was found in the backseat of the car. However, they believe the body to be the woman who was arrested.

They say they still have not found Leonard’s body.

MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Authorities in Meigs County and surrounding areas are investigating the scene where a MCSO deputy is believed to have gone missing early Thursday morning.

District Attorney of the 9th Judicial District, Russell Johnson, provided the following information pertaining to the incident.

The missing Meigs County Deputy was identified as Robert Leonard.

He is brand new to the area and was said to be making his first arrest on a woman around 9:50 p.m. Wednesday night.

Leonard was on his way to the jail when communication was lost shortly thereafter, including a call to Meigs Co. deputies.

A location was triangulated near the Tennessee River at Blythe Ferry.

Blythe Ferry Road goes directly into the water and is commonly used as a boat ramp. It used to be the ferry between Cleveland and Dayton before a nearby bridge was built.

A search has begun in the river for the missing deputy and suspect.

TWRA teams have found a car in the river that closely resembles a police vehicle.

HCSO and Monroe County dive teams are searching the river at this time.

The search and rescue is currently ongoing.

Blythe Ferry Road is closed beyond Cherokee Memorial Park.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation.

Authorities have set up a command post at the Oasis Revival Center off of Highway 60 in Birchwood.

News 12 is on the scene where we are awaiting further updates on Deputy Leonard.

We will provide updates when information is released.

INFORMATION COURTESY OF DA RUSSELL JOHNSON.