Deputy drowns while doing yard work, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office says

OCONEE COUNTY, Ga. — An Oconee County deputy was killed after his lawn mower turned over into a creek bed, pinning him underneath and drowning him, according to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.

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Lieutenant Scott Underwood, 50, was cutting grass behind his home in Farmington when the mower rolled over, pinning Underwood underneath.

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Oconee County Sheriff James Hale said the coroner will list the death as a drowning.

Underwood was found by his wife, Tracy Underwood, around 9:30 p.m., after she got home and found his patrol car still in the driveway. He was supposed to be at work at the time.

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Underwood, who was the father of two teenage boys, had worked at the sheriff’s office for 21 years.

“Please keep his family and his Sheriff’s Office family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time as we grieve our tremendous loss and say goodbye to our friend and brother,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook.

A funeral is scheduled for Friday, May 26 at Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Bogart at 1:00 p.m. The family asks for love offerings in lieu of flowers sent to their memorial fund. Love offerings can be directed to the Scott M. Underwood Benefit Account at Oconee State Bank, according to the Sheriff’s Office. All funds will go directly to the Underwood family.

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