June 12, 2010 Deputy Sheriff Eddie Wotipka Dies During Rescue
Harris County Sheriff’s Department
Texas
End of Watch: Thursday, June 10, 2010
Biographical Info
Age: 51
Tour of Duty: 17 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Incident: Thursday, June 10, 2010
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputy Eddie Wotipka drowned after entering a canal in an attempt to rescue a dog that had fallen into the water.
At approximately 11:15 pm, as Deputy Wotipka arrived home at the end of his shift, several neighbors notified him that a group of dogs were possibly in distress near the canal.
When he arrived at the canal his own dog fell into the water. Deputy Wotipka, who was still in uniform, jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue the dog. It is believed that a swift undercurrent caused him to go beneath the surface. He resurfaced once before going under the water again.
A sheriff’s department dive team recovered his body the following morning.
Deputy Wotipka had served with the agency for 17 years. He is survived by his wife and two adult children.
Agency Contact Information
Harris County Sheriff’s Department
Family Assistance Unit
1200 Baker Street
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 755-8461
Please contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Department for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.
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