Jim Lau worked for the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office for more than 23 years.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A retired Florida deputy was killed in North Carolina after his truck went underwater due to flooding and hazardous conditions from Hurricane Helene.
A North Carolina sheriff’s office said a 911 call came in about a truck in a river with a witness saying they saw someone inside before it was submerged on Friday morning. Deputies realized Jim Lau, a courthouse security officer, hadn’t returned to work from lunch and his truck matched the description of the truck seen in the river.
A search effort was initiated by multiple emergency service agencies including people on foot, a drone search and multiple water rescue teams were called in.
Lau was found on Saturday morning in the river.
Deputies from the North Carolina sheriff’s office praised Lau in a Facebook post.
“Jim was very liked and respected within our department. He was known to be a hard worker, dependable, …