COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy is dead after an "apparent medical emergency" during a hunting trip in Columbia County Saturday night, according to a release from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
At approximately 10 p.m. Saturday, Columbia County Sheriff's deputies got a call requesting a well-being check on a person hunting in the county, the release states.
Deputies learned the hunter was a Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy, and his wife contacted CCSO after she was unable to contact him.
The CCSO coordinated search efforts with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, searching by drone and helicopter for the deputy.
All search efforts were relayed to the on-duty watch commander with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Using cell phone data to narrow the deputy's location, search crews were able to locate a hunting stand believed to belong to the deputy.
The deputy's truck was also located near Benton Tower, the release said. When deputies and FWC searched the area, they discovered the deputy deceased.
The Sheriff's Office said the initial investigation shows the deputy died from an "apparent medical emergency," and no foul play is suspected.
"I am proud of our deputies for partnering with other agencies and utilizing the resources available," said Sheriff Mark Hunter. "They did not hesitate to exhaust every measure to find this individual so quickly and bring this family some closure."
First Coast News reached out to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office for more information and we are waiting to hear back.