Deputy drowns after attempting to help child while paddleboarding

Rest in Peace Deputy Sheriff Courtney Couch. She drowned while attempting to rescue a child from Foster Reservoir in Linn County while off duty.

She was paddle boarding with friends when she noticed a child in distress near the swimming area at Lewis Creek Park. She slipped off her paddleboard and went under the surface while attempting to rescue the child. Other bystanders were able to pull her from the water and performed CPR until medics arrived. She was pronounced dead a short time later.
The child was rescued by other bystanders.

Deputy Couch was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office for seven years. She is survived by her husband and son.

Credit: Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office