By Moira Ritter
The Charlotte Observer
ATHENS, Ga. — A Georgia deputy and father died when his lawn mower flipped and pinned him in a small creek, officials say.
Lt. Scott Underwood, 50, died unexpectedly the afternoon of Friday, May 19, Oconee County Sheriff James A. Hale told McClatchy News. He served as a deputy with the sheriff’s office for 21 years.
“He had genuine passion for his work in law enforcement and was beloved by all who had the privilege to work with him,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a Facebook post. “Lt. Underwood was a devoted husband and father of two teenage sons.”
Underwood’s wife, Tracy Underwood, got home on Friday and saw his patrol car still at home, the Athens Banner-Herald reported. Knowing her husband was supposed to be on duty, she began searching for him and found his body around 9 p.m.
The coroner’s office will classify Underwood’s death as a drowning, Hale told the news outlet.
Loved ones and colleagues shared tributes for Underwood on social media.
“Very tough to hear,” one person wrote on Facebook. “Underwood was a good man through and through. Irreplaceable is not a good enough word.”
“Scott was one of the finest men I’ve known,” another person wrote. “What a great guy. I’ve known lots of great law enforcement officers, and Scott was among the very best. I saw him handle situations with the greatest skill.”
“I admired him and am better for having known him along my journey,” another post said. “This is a tough one to process.”
Oconee County is about 70 miles east of Atlanta.
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