SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Ariz. (KGUN) — A 20-year-old Pima County corrections officer drowned at Patagonia Lake in Santa Cruz County Wednesday night. Search and rescue divers recovered his body Thursday morning.
Several agencies responded shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday following reports of a drowning.
When daylight returned Thursday morning, search and rescue teams from Pima, Cochise and Santa Cruz counties converged to search the water.
According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, multiple agencies assisted in the search using specialized underwater search equipment and specially trained dogs.
Cochise County Search and Rescue divers found Brayan Torres’ body just before 10 a.m., in water about eight feet deep.
“He was exactly where witnesses said he was when they last saw him,” said Patagonia Lake State Park manager Colt Alford.
It’s the first reported drowning at Patagonia Lake since 2016.
“It’s always devastating,” said Alford. “[Brayan Torres] was here with his sister and his friends, recreating for the day… He was trying to swim across [the lake], turned around coming back, and that’s when the [drowning] happened.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says Torres just completed his one year of probationary training only last week.
“A young, young man,” said Nanos. “He’s had a lot of hopes. Wanted to be a deputy… Taken from us way too early."
“It’s just family," he added. "We always say that. But it’s times like this that we’re really reminded of it.”
Nanos thanked all of the agencies who responded to the tragedy, and said his thoughts are with Torres’ family.
He confirmed Torres is the eighth Pima County corrections officer to die in the past six months, and that although the department has a wellness team and peer support group, the team will need to continue leaning on each other.
Later Thursday, the lake’s marina and beach reopened to the public.
But signs continue to warn swimmers: “No Lifeguard On Duty.”
“Know your swimming abilities and your swimming level,” Alford advised. “And just be aware.”
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Ryan Fish is an anchor and reporter for KGUN 9 and comes to the Sonoran Desert from California’s Central Coast after working as a reporter, sports anchor and weather forecaster in Santa Barbara. Ryan grew up in the Chicago suburbs, frequently visiting family in Tucson. Share your story ideas and important issues with Ryan by emailing ryan.fish@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook and Twitter.
