Holly MatkinLake Tawakoni, TX – University Park Police Department (UPPD) Sergeant Robert Ramsey’s body was recovered from Lake Tawakoni on Thursday, after he failed to return home from a duck hunting outing, according to his department.
Sgt. Ramsey was reported missing on Wednesday, after he didn’t return from his hunting trip as scheduled, the UPPD said in a press release on Thursday.
Investigators later found the sergeant’s boat adrift in the water, but could not immediately locate him.
“It appears that Robert had been launching his boat at the lake’s public boat ramp,” the UPPD said. “The circumstances regarding how he ended up in the water is unknown.”
The Texas State Game Wardens and the West Tawakoni Police Department immediately launched search and rescue efforts to locate the missing sergeant.
Sgt. Ramsey’s body was found in the water about five miles away from the launch site at approximately 11:20 a.m. the following day, KXAS reported.
The medical examiner is working to determine his exact cause of death, according to WFAA.
“Since joining us in 2008, Sergeant Ramsey was a highly valued member of the University Park Police Department,” University Park Police Chief Greg Spradlin said in the press release. “He was a credit to our profession and a true community servant.”
He was also the department’s firearms and defensive tactics instructor.
Prior to his 12-year career with the UPPD, Sgt. Ramsey served as a school resource officer at Highland Park High School.
His fellow officers nominated him as the city’s Employee of the Year in 2018, according to Chief Spradlin.
The chief said he has known Sgt. Ramsey since they worked together on joint assignments in the 1990s.
“I would ask you to keep Robert and his family, his friends and fellow officers in your thoughts and prayers,” Chief Spradlin said. “UPPD has already received condolences from partner law enforcement agencies. The support shown is very much appreciated by me and the men and women of UPPD.”
Sgt. Ramsey leaves behind his wife, two daughters, his stepson, and his grandchildren, KXAS reported.
The @DENTONPD extends our deepest condolences to Chiefs Spradlin, Mathes, the friends, family and colleagues of @CityofUPTX Sergeant Robert Ramsey after his body was recovered from Lake Tawakoni Thursday morning. pic.twitter.com/zAYiOTVL9Y
— Frank Dixon (@Chief_Dixon2746) December 18, 2020
This is a link to a https://t.co/i49FD6BWVl for Robert’s memorial service, if anyone can share anything I know it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you and keep them in your prayers.https://t.co/L0dE34zaWG
— han (@hpierrotti) December 18, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of University Park Police Department Sergeant Robert Ramsey, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
