GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - The Greensville County Sheriff's Deputy whose disappearance Friday morning sparked massive search was found deceased Saturday.
"Early this morning, Percy Lee House III, the Greensville County Sheriff's Deputy missing since Friday morning, was found deceased in his vehicle located in a creek off of Massie Branch Road in Greensville County," the Virginia Sheriffs' Association wrote in a Saturday morning email. "While the Virginia State Police is in the midst of conducting a full investigation, the accident is reported to be the result of icy road conditions."
Deputy House, 52, last made contact with the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office about 9:24 a.m. Friday. House was last spotted in the small town of Skippers.
Friends and family were shocked and distraught over the passing of Deputy House and spoke kind words of him.
"He was a big, easy going gentleman. Very polite,” said Buck Starke, a close friend.
Brad Hafey felt compelled to visit the crash site in memory of Deputy House.
""We're a tight knit community here," Hafey said. "My many years in EMS, I've seen a lot of accidents, but it always hits harder when it's one of your close working... friends."
The state flag is flying at half staff at the Greensville County Sheriff's Office.
"I want to thank my staff, volunteers from our community, and public safety agencies from the surrounding area for their quick response and support over the last 24 hours," Greensville County Sheriff James Edwards said. "The loss of Deputy Lee House III to our close department and our community is tragic and unexpected. Please keep his family and all of our first responders in your thoughts and prayers."
Virginia State Police is working with the Greensville Sheriff's Office to continue their investigation into this incident.
Anyone with information about this situation is asked to call Greensville County Sheriff's Office at 434-348-4200.
This is a developing story.
