The Portland Press Herald
MONROE, ME – A Waldo County Sheriff’s deputy died today while diving in a pond behind Sheriff Scott Story’s home in Monroe.
Sgt. Mark Schade, 42, was off-duty and was helping the sheriff clean a device to add oxygen to the private pond off Back Brooks Road, according to a statement from the Maine Department of Public Safety.
Schade, who was diving alone, was re-installing an aerator after it had been removed from the water for cleaning. Story and a second deputy saw Schade moving under ice partially covering the pond and called for help at 4:30 p.m.
The State Police dive team recovered Schade’s body at 7 p.m. under ice 10 feet from shore, the statement said.
Schade was pronounced dead at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor shortly after 9 p.m. after being flown there by Lifeflight helicopter.
Schade was a 17-year veteran of the sheriff’s department.
Copyright 2008 The Portland Press Herald