BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. — Botetourt County Fire and EMS Chief Jeff Beckner was found dead Friday morning.
Dispatchers received a call of a man lying face down in a shallow creek. Sheriff deputies, fire and EMS workers pulled Beckner’s body from the creek, reported WSLS.
Beckner, 57, was reportedly working in a small creek bank beside his house removing debris from the creek bend.
There was no sign of foul play or apparent injuries.
“This is a tough day for Botetourt County and the fire and EMS community,” County Administrator Gary Larrowe said. “Jeff will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”
Beckner’s body was taken to the medical examiner’s office.
He had served as the county’s fire and EMS chief since 2014, and previously worked for more than 30 years in Roanoke City.