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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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The body of 21-year-old Joshua "Josh" Clay Riley was
recovered early Monday morning from Kentucky Lake
where he drowned Saturday afternoon after reportedly
saving the life of a friend.
Riley, who is the son of TWRA Agent Clay Riley and his
wife, LeChon Riley of Springville, was in a pontoon
boat and his friend, Luke Rawls of McKenzie and Luke's
four-year-old son were riding on inner tubes near the
boat. According to reports, Luke fell into
the water and Riley jumped in the water without a life
jacket and swam approximately 60 feet to take a life
jacket to his friend. After the assist, he swam to the child that was on the tube.
He reportedly made it to the tube, but apparently
became so exhausted that he went underneath the water
at that point.
Debbie Canady, Unit Director of Henry County Rescue
Squad, said Luke and his son watched as Riley went
under the water at approximately 4:30 p.m.
"He (Luke) attempted to find him, but couldn't," said
Canady. "They are both just devastated."
Canady said it is believed that the distance he
had to swim and the water conditions on Saturday were
just too much for him.
"The water was really, really rough and it was windy,"
she said.
Luke used a cell phone to call for assistance when he
was unable to locate Josh. The boat was located near
an area known locally as Budweiser Beach, a popular
hangout for folks in that area.
Canady said her unit was on the water and began
the search at 5 p.m. Saturday.
"We were there constantly until his body was
recovered," she said.
She said they were overwhelmed with the outpouring of
help from everyone. She noted that 12 rescue squads
and 100 rescuers assisted in the search for the
missing man.
Dr. Rita Tinsley and Rob Camper from North Stewart
Canine Unit in Dover responded immediately to get a
dog in the water, she said.
Captain Kathy Clark of Carroll County Rescue Squad
responded with seven members, bringing their cadaver
dog and boat equipped with sonar. Also responding to
the call for help was rescue squads from Benton,
Weakley, Obion, Crockett, Hardeman, Perry, Dyer,
Chester, Henderson, and Brownsville-Haywood counties.
Canady said fortunately Benton County was hosting
a state-level dragging class at Birdsong Marina in
Camden with squads throughout the state in attendance.
"When they heard about it, they all wanted to help,
even though some were facing a 500-mile return home
trip," she said.
She added that the owner/manager of Mansard Island
Resort and Marina offered his services as well. He
closed the boat dock to the public in order for rescue
units to be able to launch their boats there and TWRA
used the area as a command post. He also provided free
of charge one of his rental trailers for rescuers to
have a place to rest and clean up between search
missions, she said. Federal Wildlife officials and TVA
police also came to Mansard to provide security on
water and land to free up TWRA officials to
participate in the search, she said.
Both Mansard and Buchanan Resorts furnished officers
with food and drinks throughout the search period.
"We appreciate all the help, as well as the churches
who brought food, and the individuals who offered
their boats," said Canady.
Officials noted they also received help from Lowe's
Home Improvement Warehouse in Paris, where Josh worked
as a department manager. The store supplied a portable
generator, lights, extension cords, spotlights to use
during the night, chairs and several gas cans full of
gas.
TWRA and Henry County Rescue officials found Riley's
body floating in approximately 18 feet of water at
5:55 a.m. Monday, just south of where the boat was
originally located.
Josh married the former Kristi Mayo on May 24, 2003
and the couple resided at 408 Whitehall Circle in
Paris.
He was a member of East Wood Street Church of Christ.
He was a 2001 honor graduate at Henry County High
School, where he was a member of the Madrigals and
Henry County soccer team. He attended Freed Hardeman
University where he was a member of the soccer team.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday at East Wood
Street Church of Christ with McEvoy Funeral Home of
Paris in charge. Burial was in Sulpher Well Church of
Christ Cemetery.
He also leaves a sister, Brittany Riley of Springville.
Doris
H. Blackman of McKenzie has been selected to serve as
principal at McKenzie Middle School. Mrs. Blackmon
will fill the position vacated by Lynn Watkins, who
resigned to accept employment with Stambaugh Roofing.
