An off duty Contra Costa Country Deputy Carlos “Diamond” Francies, 30, drowned while attempting to save the life of his friend in Lake Tahoe, CA on Thursday.  He was not wearing a life jacket.
“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.” –Â Contra Costa Sheriff David O. Livingston said in a statement
Carlos, his girlfriend, his sister, and a friend had rented paddleboards and kayaks and launched them at El Dorado beach. Â Winds were strong that day gusting to 40mph on the water.
Carlos’ sister ended up falling off her kayak and Carlos’ friend jumping into the water to help her. Â At one point during the incident, Carlos’ friend appeared to be drowning.
Carlos jumped off his paddleboard into the lake and began swimming to his distressed friend. Â After swimming 20 feet Carlos himself began to began to struggle in the water and asked his girlfriend to pass him a life jacket.
Carlos’ girlfriend swam towards him with a life jacket, but Carlos had sank below the water. Â By the time his girlfriend reached him, Carlos was unconscious.
Carlos was pulled to shore, but he died on the scene.
Carlos had been working for the Sheriff’s Department since 2011. Â He lived in Sacramento nad worked in the Martinez Detention Facility.
Carlos was a serious athlete.  He played football at Sacramento state and played professional arena football for the Stockton Lightning.
Deputy Carlos Francies died doing what he was sworn to do: putting himself in harms way to protect the lives of others.
— Contra Costa Sheriff (@CoCoSheriff) August 14, 2015
An investigation is underway.
Should not have happened. Wet, cold water, gusty winds caused an exposure problem.
Sad thing is the friend he was rescuing was OK -not drowning.