Today, April 30, at 1 am will be the 18-year anniversary of the recovery that has been haunting me for as many years. Out of all the calls I have been on this one is by far my worst.
It was on April 29, 1986 when we started searching for a little 7-year-old girl with epilepsy. She was discovered missing by her parents around 7pm. Her parents being unable to locate her called the Sheriff at around 9:50pm.
Search and Rescue was called at 10:40pm and by 11:50 two dog teams were in the area as was one marine boat and one diver, me.
Some evidence pointed towards the water and her bicycle was missing.
After suiting up and hitting the 44df water I immediately saw a childs bicycle. A close inspection of it showed it to be freshly submerged. I knew right then that she was close but all I could do was cry.
A few scans of my light revealed her lifeless body on the bottom. So alone in that 1300 acre lake, so cold and so lifeless. I couldnt just grab her and go like the others. I held her close to me on the bottom for a minute or so, I dont know for how long, but I just felt she needed a hug. At 12:55am on April 30, 1986 I returned her to the surface never to see her again except in my mind.
I have recovered lots of children but for some reason this little 7-year-old has ingrained herself in me.
I just cant believe that her parents didnt keep a closer eye on her being that close to the water. They actually allowed her to ride her bike on the boat docks.
This is enough, I cant type any more about it. Tonight will be rough but as always it will get back to normal soon. Damn I hate being human on nights like this. I'll be fine tomorrow but I wish I could just hug her again one more time.
Gary D.
PS: I wrote this last night and I am fine today. I just don't know why she has stuck with me all this time.
It was on April 29, 1986 when we started searching for a little 7-year-old girl with epilepsy. She was discovered missing by her parents around 7pm. Her parents being unable to locate her called the Sheriff at around 9:50pm.
Search and Rescue was called at 10:40pm and by 11:50 two dog teams were in the area as was one marine boat and one diver, me.
Some evidence pointed towards the water and her bicycle was missing.
After suiting up and hitting the 44df water I immediately saw a childs bicycle. A close inspection of it showed it to be freshly submerged. I knew right then that she was close but all I could do was cry.
A few scans of my light revealed her lifeless body on the bottom. So alone in that 1300 acre lake, so cold and so lifeless. I couldnt just grab her and go like the others. I held her close to me on the bottom for a minute or so, I dont know for how long, but I just felt she needed a hug. At 12:55am on April 30, 1986 I returned her to the surface never to see her again except in my mind.
I have recovered lots of children but for some reason this little 7-year-old has ingrained herself in me.
I just cant believe that her parents didnt keep a closer eye on her being that close to the water. They actually allowed her to ride her bike on the boat docks.
This is enough, I cant type any more about it. Tonight will be rough but as always it will get back to normal soon. Damn I hate being human on nights like this. I'll be fine tomorrow but I wish I could just hug her again one more time.
Gary D.
PS: I wrote this last night and I am fine today. I just don't know why she has stuck with me all this time.