Sheriff's office mourning after divers recover body of Putnam deputy

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — Putnam deputies are mourning after divers found the body of their fellow deputy at the bottom of the St. Johns River Saturday afternoon after 24 hours of extensive searching.

Brandee Smith, a 35-year-old mother of four, was with her boyfriend when their boat hit a channel marker and she fell in the water early Friday morning.

Capt. Joseph Wells said more than 150 law enforcement officers from 13 agencies searched for Smith before her body was found around 1:45 p.m.

Deputies placed a badge with her body as a token of appreciation for her service to the citizens of Putnam County.

“I’m very proud of the men and women that came out here this week," said Capt. Wells. "They kept their mind in the job and they knew we owed it to Brandee’s family to bring her home - and that’s what they did.”

Smith had been a deputy with Putnam County Sheriff’s Office since 2012. Wells said Smith's family was the center of her life.

“For it be someone that you served side-by-side with for a number of years, it makes it all that much more difficult,” said Wells.

Smith's friends described her as a compassionate person who loved making a difference.

"Brandee blew us away everyday with her abilities and her desire to serve the community," Wells said.

Smith was a mentor to young people during her time away from work.

Amy Gravitz said when her husband was shot, Smith was first to arrive on scene and performed CPR.

“When she took an oath to honor to serve, she truly meant it," Gravitz said. "It was all for the good of the citizens. She put lot of heart into her job."

Wells said he saw Smith’s empathy when she helped rescue a young child that was a victim of a parental kidnapping.

“What amazed me the most was that she was the only person that could console and comfort that child,” said Wells.

Officials from Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Saint Augustine Police Department, United States Customs and Border Protection and search crews from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville and aviation crews from US Coast Guard Air Station Savannah Georgia helped in the search for Smith.

Cox Media Group