July 18, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
A man lost his life on Center Hill Lake Wednesday afternoon.
73 year old Joe Elkins of White County is believed to have drowned but an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
In a media release, Sheriff Patrick Ray explained what happened.
“On July 17th at 4:47 pm, DeKalb Central Dispatch received a call of a possible drowning at the Johnson’s Chapel Boat Ramp. When Deputies arrived on the scene, they found the victim receiving CPR.”
“The victim has been identified as 73 year old Joe Elkins of White County Tennessee.”
“It appears Elkins and another person were swimming at the Johnson’s Chapel Boat Ramp area when Elkins was found to be struggling in the water. The person who was swimming with Elkins tried to retrieve Elkins from the water and also shouted to other people who were in the area for help. Elkins was pulled out of the water and CPR was administered to Elkins at that time,” said Sheriff Ray.
Elkins was transported to St Thomas DeKalb by DeKalb EMS where he was pronounced deceased. Elkins’ body has been transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Nashville for an autopsy. The case is pending.
DeKalb EMS and the Smithville/DeKalb County Rescue Squad assisted the Sheriff’s Department on the scene.