Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Body Found in Flood Waters Saturday

Tuesday's storms resulted in the death of a Little Rock man in Nevada County.

Wednesday evening, while flood waters were still high and swift in the area, Earnest McClellan, 52, of Gurdon, and Donald Jay Jefferson, 47, were attempting to cross a flooded section of County Road 35 about 6.5 miles east of Prescott.

The road was flooded by the Terre Rouge Creek, also called Cruz Creek, which was out of its banks because of the torrential rains Tuesday night.

Jefferson's body was finally recovered around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. The body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for autopsy.

As the story can be pieced together so far, the two were driving down CR 35 Wednesday around 8:30 p.m., when they noticed a wrecker stalled in the flooded road. Apparently they tried to drive the 1981 Dodge van they were in around the wrecker, but got stuck.

Jefferson and McClellan then apparently left the safety of the van to try and walk across the flooded section.

McClellan was able to make it to safety, while Jefferson was reportedly swept away by the swift water.

McClellan was able to walk and try to get help, but was apparently able to give officers little information on Jefferson's whereabouts.

Nevada County Sheriff Steve Otwell went up in a helicopter Wednesday night as part of the search party.

As Jefferson's body wasn't found Wednesday, search parties formed and returned to the scene again Thursday, spending the entire day looking.

Dogs from Central Arkansas Search and Rescue were brought in Friday. These dogs are specially trained to find dead bodies by smell, even in water.

The dogs hit on one area several times, with boats armed with drag lines scouring the region in hopes of locating the body.

However, no body was located where the dogs hit. The search ended Friday with Jefferson's body still missing.

Day three of the search hit paydirt as the body was found. Crews had gone back to the scene in hopes of finding Jefferson's remains before predicted rains set in again Sunday.

Interestingly, the body was located in an area not flooded, though it could have been Wednesday night. The remains were also not in the vicinity the dogs had hit.

Otwell said he appreciates the support and cooperation received from other agencies during the search. "It's gratifying to know when the department needs help, all we have to do is call," he said.

Other agencies helping in the search included: the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Ouachita County Sheriff's Office and the OCSO Mounted Patrol; Nevada County Rescue Unit; NCSO auxiliary deputies; Chief Willie Latin and the Prescott Police Department; the Laneburg, Emmet, Perrytown and Redland volunteer fire departments; Hempstead County Garland Township Constable Don Letterman; Little River County's K-9 officer Durvis Stuart; the CASAR; Nevada County Ambulance Service; Air Life; the Arkansas State Police helicopter, along with criminal investigator Sgt. Jack Ursury and investigator Scott Clark; and the private citizens who donated their time and effort.

Otwell reminds the citizens of Nevada County in an emergency situation they can call the NCSO at 887-2651, but this number should only be used for emergencies. Otherwise, call 887-2616.

CONVENTION ATTENDED

Otwell recently attended the winter convention of the Arkansas Sheriff's Association in North Little Rock.

The convention was held Jan. 26-28, beginning with opening ceremonies including the presentation of colors by the Honor Guard of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office and North Little Rock High School senior Beth Gray singing the national anthem.

Gov. Mike Huckabee spoke at the opening session, presenting an Arkansas Traveler Certificate to National Sheriffs' Association President Fred Scoralick.

Scoralick, sheriff of Dutchess County, New York, spoke Tuesday.

The convention ended Wednesday, Jan. 28, with a tour of the Arkansas State Crime Lab.