Found Deceased NY - Buffalo Police diver Craig Lehner missing during training exercise, 13 Oct 2017

[Indy Anna]

A search is underway for a Buffalo cop missing for more than a day after a diving exercise in upstate New York.

Craig Lehner, a diver and K-9 officer with the Buffalo Police Department, failed to resurface during a Friday afternoon training session along the Niagara River.

<snip> http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...ars-river-training-exercise-article-1.3562890

First responders from about 15 agencies, including from Canada, were taking part in the search.

Even Shield, Lehner's 4-year-old German shepherd K-9 Unit partner, was at the scene for a short time. Lehner named the dog Shield last year in honor of Buffalo Police Officer James A. Shields, 36, who was killed in the line of duty in October 2002 when his patrol vehicle crashed into a tree on Delaware Avenue while he was responding to a robbery call.

<snip> http://buffalonews.com/2017/10/13/search-resumes-craig-lehner-missing-bpd-diver-k-9-officer/


http://www.democratandchronicle.com...ce-diver-crews-craig-lehner-search/764129001/

https://news.google.com/news/video/OflcNrBe8cg/dof8PyBn2tN0DHM74zs7BK73yTO_M?hl=en&ned=us

Search is suspended until Sunday.

 

[Indy Anna]

:anguish: Just saw this:

Officer Craig Lehner brought his dog Shield with him Friday, when he drove to the Niagara River for training with other police divers. That was standard and vigilant behavior, said Lt. Salvatore Losi, commanding officer of the department's K-9 unit.

[....]

Yet it was Losi and several other officers in his unit, hours later, who had to open the door and allow the 85-pound German Shepherd to get out.

"It was kind of spooky," Losi said. "We all got tears in our eyes and choked up a little. When we opened the door, he knocked us out of the way, myself and a couple of other handlers, and he ran down to the river and started running back and forth, searching."

<snip> http://buffalonews.com/2017/10/14/sean-kirst-police-dog-runs-river-fierce-loyalty-missing-officer/

 

[bluedivergirl]

I did a little research on the Niagara River. It is cold, with a fast current. I couldn't find anything about water clarity, but my experience is that fast water is murky.

This will be a difficult recovery. Rest in peace, sir.

 

[zencompass]

This is so sad to hear. Thinking of his family and friends and sending prayers of hope and love.

 

[U2forever]

 

[Indy Anna]

Search for missing Buffalo police diver Craig Lehner resumes Sunday morning
http://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffa...iver_craig_lehner_resumes_sunday_morning.html

Day Three moves search for police diver down river
http://buffalonews.com/2017/10/15/search-continues-third-day-missing-police-diver/

Agencies continue searching for BPD Officer Lehner, believe a rescue is unlikely at this point
http://wivb.com/2017/10/15/agencies...r-believe-a-rescue-is-unlikely-at-this-point/

Does anyone know how likely it would be for someone to find an underwater air pocket in fast-moving water? I guess there really isn't much in a river that could create an air pocket, like an underwater cavern, right? Just want to hope for the best, but know the probable outcome.

 

[Indy Anna]

Search for Buffalo police officer Lehner suspended on Sunday due to weather

http://wivb.com/2017/10/15/agencies...r-believe-a-rescue-is-unlikely-at-this-point/

The search was suspended around 3:20 this afternoon. In the top video, you can hear how strong the wind is and see how quickly the water is flowing. Crews plan to resume the search at 7:00 a.m. Monday.

 

[bluedivergirl]

It is unlikely he is still alive. If he found an air pocket, hypothermia is an issue, even if he was in a dry suit.

Rescue divers do admirable work. They can put their gear on so fast, you'd think they were magicians. The Divemaster who trained me was a rescue diver.

 

[LadyL]

omgosh his dog knew ...

RIP

 

[Indy Anna]

From the start, the quest to find Buffalo Police diver Craig Lehner was full of obstacles and headaches.

That continued into the evening Sunday, after stormy weather led searchers to call off the official recovery effort for the day. Then, a motorist on the Niagara Parkway reported seeing what appeared to be a wetsuit floating in the Niagara River about 30 yards from the Canadian shore.

[....]

It was one more twist from the Niagara River and its infamous currents, believed to be among the fastest of any freshwater river in the country.

And then there are the underwater dangers: the tree trunks, debris and boulders the size of cars that greeted divers as they searched for Lehner.
<snip> http://buffalonews.com/2017/10/15/search-continues-third-day-missing-police-diver/


Lehner, a nine-year veteran of the force and a full-time K-9 officer, is presumed dead.

Authorities haven't recovered any of Lehner's gear, Rinaldo said.
<snip> http://buffalonews.com/2017/10/16/search-missing-buffalo-police-diver-niagara-river-goes-4th-day/

Search resumes for body of missing Buffalo police diver
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...97043e57a22_story.html?utm_term=.e2540cb4798f

 

[ATasteOfHoney]

:anguish: Just saw this:

Officer Craig Lehner brought his dog Shield with him Friday, when he drove to the Niagara River for training with other police divers. That was standard and vigilant behavior, said Lt. Salvatore Losi, commanding officer of the department's K-9 unit.

[....]

Yet it was Losi and several other officers in his unit, hours later, who had to open the door and allow the 85-pound German Shepherd to get out.

"It was kind of spooky," Losi said. "We all got tears in our eyes and choked up a little. When we opened the door, he knocked us out of the way, myself and a couple of other handlers, and he ran down to the river and started running back and forth, searching."

<snip> http://buffalonews.com/2017/10/14/sean-kirst-police-dog-runs-river-fierce-loyalty-missing-officer/

Heartbreaking........

 

[JerseyGirl]

The search for missing Buffalo Police diver Craig E. Lehner resumed Tuesday morning.



http://buffalonews.com/2017/10/17/will-never-stop-looking-search-continues-missing-police-diver/

 

[trigger]

They just recovered his body.

http://buffalonews.com/2017/10/17/missing-buffalo-police-divers-body-recovered/