Sheriff's deputy drowns trying to save person in Lake Tahoe

Alan Wang Image
ByAlan Wang KGO logo
Friday, August 14, 2015
Contra Costa County Deputy drowns rescuing swimmer in Lake Tahoe
The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office says Deputy Carlos Francies drowned while trying to save another person at Lake Tahoe.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. -- The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office says Deputy Carlos Francies died while trying to save the life of another.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department informed the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office of Francies' death. They say he jumped into deep lake water to try to save another person who was drowning.

Francies worked in Martinez and lived in Sacramento. He is survived by his wife and three siblings. Two of Francies' siblings also work in law enforcement.

Francies coached youth football.

Contra Costa Sheriff David O. Livingston released a statement saying, "Today we lost a dedicated Deputy Sheriff and a member of our family. Deputy Carlos Francies died doing what he was sworn to do: putting himself in harm's way to protect the lives of others. He is a hero and an example of exactly what is right in law enforcement today. We mourn with his family, friends and colleagues."

The victim Francies was trying to rescue survived. The investigation will be headed by local law enforcement.