Pueblo Police Corporal identified as missing boater found dead at Lake Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- The body of a missing boater, identified as 41-year-old Pueblo Police Department Corporal Stephen Biggs, was found early Monday after an hours-long search at Lake Pueblo State Park.

According to officials, Biggs, who was off duty, went missing around 5:30 p.m. Sunday following a wakeboarding accident in the Peck Creek area, located in the west-central section of the park.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said its Marine Evidence Recovery Team used an underwater robot to locate Biggs' body in nearly 50 feet of water. His body was found around 2:45 a.m. Monday.

Multiple agencies assisted CPW with the search, including the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office and Pueblo West Fire Department.

The Pueblo Police Department has Corporal Biggs’ patrol car parked in front of the Pueblo Police Department (200 South Main Street) for those wishing to pay their respects to the fallen officer.

Many friends and family showed up to lay flowers, photos and handwritten letters in honor of Corporal Biggs. Several took turns sitting in the driver's seat of his patrol car and exchanged embraces.

The family declined to speak with KRDO13 out of privacy at this time.

According to PPD, Corporal Biggs has been employed with the department since October 2010, during which he served as a Patrol Training Officer and was a distinguished member of the SWAT team. Officials say he had received 10 letters of commendation, three Medal of Valor awards, and the Distinguished Service award.

“Working with Stephen was an honor, and his loss is deeply personal,” said Chief of the Pueblo Police Department Chris Noeller. “His courage, dedication, and commitment to his fellow officers meant so much to our department. I was proud to serve with him, and I will miss him. My heart is with his family, his friends, and everyone in our department who is grieving his loss.”

The incident remains under investigation.

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