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Hickman Police Officer Found Dead in Flooded Field

Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Update: The preliminary autopsy report found Officer Rodney Smith indicate drowning, according to Kentucky State Police Detective Jody Cash. He said Brown's Funeral Home in Mayfield is coordinating arrangements.

Original Story:

A Hickman City Police officer was found dead Saturday morning in a flooded field. 

Kentucky State Police say 45-year-old Officer Rodney Smith of Boaz was located at 5 a.m. in the field off of Bernal Avenue in Hickman City. Police say the cruiser he had been driving was also located.

Police say Smith was reported missing at 9:15 Friday night. Search and rescue teams from various agencies in Kentucky and Tennessee worked to find him.

The Fulton County Coroner pronounced Smith dead at the scene. An autopsy will be performed Saturday at the State Medical Examiner's Officer. His cause of death has not been released. 

This story will be updated.

Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.
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