Lake Ranger William L. Stewart, Jr.

William L. Stewart, Jr.

Lake Ranger William Stewart drowned while attempting to retrieve his patrol boat, which had been blown away from the shore of an island in Lake Hefner.

Officers had received a call stating that the ranger's boat was discovered beached on the northeastern shore of the lake, with its motor still running. A search of the island revealed his duty belt, boots, and hat on the island, approximately one-half mile from where his boat was discovered. Investigators believed that he was conducting a routine check of the island when his boat was set adrift due to extremely high winds. They believed that he drowned in the churning water when he attempted to swim out to the boat to retrieve it.

Ranger Stewart had served with the Oklahoma City Lake Patrol for approximately one year. He was survived by his wife and son.