End of Watch: Chief Deputy Sheriff Lee Weber: Drowned While Trying to Rescue His Son
Statement of U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons on the Passing of Hughes County Chief Deputy Sheriff Lee Weber.
“Lee Weber led a hero’s life and he died a hero’s death. He was a guardian in the highest and truest sense. He devoted his life to protecting his family, protecting his community, and protecting his country. Our nation and our state owe him an incalculable debt of gratitude. The men and women of the United States Department of Justice stand shoulder to shoulder with Wendy, their beautiful children, and our entire law enforcement family, as we honor the life of Lee Weber and mourn this tragic loss.”
Weber drowned on July 3, 2020 after jumping in the Missouri River to save his son. He was overtaken by the rapid currents. His son was rescued by another nearby boat.
“An estimated 18 local, state and federal agencies have been involved in the search for Mr. Weber since Friday afternoon. That includes rescue boats, divers, drones, cadaver dogs and the South Dakota Highway Patrol airplane.
In a statement Wednesday evening from the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office, officials have decided to scale back the Missouri River search for a Hughes County man, after discussions with his family,”
The body of Lee Weber was found Thursday afternoon, July 9, near the railroad bridge across the Missouri River between Pierre and Fort Pierre, 4 miles from where he went missing upstream and six days after he jumped out of a boat trying to save his son, capcournal reported.