Arkansas Officer Drowns Rescuing Fiancée From River Hours After Proposing

An Arkansas police officer died in Missouri’s Elk River while trying to rescue his fiancée from a strong current, shortly after he proposed to her, according to her family and officials.

According to his family, Fred Marsh, 24, of the Rogers Police Department, died on July 18 while canoeing with his fiancée and friends, as told by the woman’s mother, Sheryl Padgett. Marsh jumped into the river to rescue another swimmer but failed to resurface, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. His body was recovered and pronounced dead on Sunday.

In an official statement, Rogers police confirmed that Marsh died while rescuing someone who was drowning. According to Padgett, the person Marsh had attempted to save was her daughter, Hailey, whom he had just recently proposed to.

In an interview with ABC affiliate KHBS, Padgett revealed that the couple was out on the canoe with another officer of the Rogers Police Department and his wife near Noel, Missouri, when Hailey slipped into the water and began struggling with the current while trying to climb back to the boat.

The two officers dived in and managed to pull her to safety, but Marsh grew tired, went underwater, and never resurfaced, according to Padgett and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

“They had been together for three beautiful years, and they had a very beautiful, loving relationship,” Padgett said. “Even though legally he was not my son-in-law, he will forever be my son.”

“He saw the love of his life in distress, and he was going to help his friend and do what a good human would do,” she added. “He gave his life helping someone else.”

In April, Marsh joined the department and graduated from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, according to Fox News.

The procession carried Marsh’s body through northwest Arkansas on Monday as citizens lined the street to show their respect, as per KSL. The GoFundMe campaign set up by Hailey’s sister had raised almost $2,000 by Thursday.

His family will organize the funeral arrangements for Marsh.