Body of missing Meigs County deputy, woman arrestee recovered from river

The body of a Tennessee deputy who went missing after making an arrest and the body of a woman have been found. They were discovered in a river hours after the deputy's patrol vehicle was pulled from the water, officials said.

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[tunnelvision]

we just not gonna talk about the woman that was in the back of the patrol

[monim.r.]

The fact the woman was handcuffed and didn’t stand a chance break my heart. That cop should have been paying attention.

[kapelady]

That poor girl did not deserve to die for his stupidity. Their coworker died, by his own fault, breaking the law, and he took her with him, and they do not care. Pathetic.

[besqjoi]

SO WE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE WOMAN WHO WAS KILLED TOO.... HER LOSS OF LIFE IS NOT IMPORTANT, BECAUSE SHE WASN'T A DEPUTY/COP. MY CONDOLENCES TO THE UNKNOWN WOMAN'S FAMILY MAY SHE REST IN PEACE AND HEAVEN 🙏 ❤

[alwaysready]

As a retired police chief, why in the world would you not givecondolences to the passengers family ? She is 100 percent the real victim.

[Slain_Lawless]

They had a whole town honor this cop and raise money all the while ignoring the person he caused to die. This poor woman was completely helpless and trapped while he was doing everything but his job as a driver. What a nightmare for her and her family.

[ittysmith]

Police department sucks ass for mentioning the dude that caused the crash and not the poor lady who had no choice but to trust the officer that decided to arrest her do better!

[Mrsquick]

Tabby Smith, a 35-year-old mother of two, had just been detained by Deputy RJ Leonard on February 14 when the deputy drove his patrol car into the Tennessee River. Deputy Leonard, who graduated from the police academy in December, had just texted his wife about making his first arrest. Smith was found covered in mud and still handcuffed in the submerged vehicle. Deputy Leonard’s body was recovered later outside the car.

[mannyperez]

That lady in the back should be remembered

[Knubbs]

The fact they did not mention the other person in the car by name speaks volumes!

[alaricbrown]

I will not shed a tear for that cop. My condolences to the woman's family.

[jeffjames]

Sounds like a lawsuit. Texting and driving is illegal. Total incompetence and negligence.

[maryannashaw]

They don't care about the woman, the woman got a family too.

[jglakecity]

Her name was Tabitha a Mother of 2 kids. Deputy had sent a one word text to hos wife saying "arrest" because he was excited about his first arrest. This area was turned into unofficial boat ramp after the bridge was built in the 90's. It used to be access to the ferry that transported people across the river. The only light sources bulb was burned out. There were two sugns not visible because if lack of lighting. A woman had just made the same mistake several weeks before this incident. The County is responsible for the harms to this poor woman trapped in the back seat. The Deputy 's window was down and his bidy was found a distance from the car.

[EddyMeader-ckbc]

Notice the Sheriff doesn't mention the woman downed with him. Only the deputy.

[shockicornabishop]

Her name was Tabitha, she was found dead dead handcuffed in the back seat. His window was down but he didn’t survive🙏🏽🙏🏽 for both families

[senae_m]

this was tacky and selfish of them not mentioning the passenger in the backseat. they had family too

[darladeal]

Thats pretty messed up this lady doesn't even acknowledge the lady in the back that lost her life because of the carelessness of this officer.

[ediedianehenry]

Sickening that they are crying over deputy Leonard and saying nothing about the passenger!

[angelalewis]

This video speaks volumes about that police department! 🤦🏽‍♀️