TOWN OF OLIVE – An Ulster County deputy sheriff drowned Thursday
during diver training at the Ashokan Reservoir in the Town of Olive.
Sergeant Kerry Winters, 51, a 30-year veteran of the Ulster County Sheriff’s
Office Corrections Division was rushed to the Broadway campus of the Health
Alliance where he was pronounced dead.
Winters may have suffered a medical issue while in the water, sources
told Mid-Hudson News. Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum, said the investigation
into the in-water rescue team dive training operation in the reservoir
is in its preliminary stage.
VanBlarcum, who is in his 41st year with the sheriff’s department,
knew Winters during his entire tenure, in fact, they were on the sheriff’s
dive team together.
County Executive Michael Hein said the county is “devastated at
the loss” of Winters. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his
family during this time of unspeakable grief for “an individual
dedicated to public safety and helping others.”
