MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The body of a missing man has been found in a Tennessee river after he was swept away while trying to rescue a child struggling to swim, local authorities said.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office announced at a news conference that the body of 31-year-old Thaddeus Smiley was found on Sunday afternoon.
“We were able to locate his body, about a half mile downriver, from where he went into the water,” Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner said.
Crews had been searching for Smiley since he was swept away in the Wolf River on Friday. Smiley and another man had been trying to rescue a 10-year-old child struggling to swim.
“One thing about the Wolf River, it is complete with sand and mud,” Buckner said. “There are times when people enter the river, and just a little bit of weight on the bottom of the river can create suction that can pull someone down or hold them down.”
More than 100 first responders and volunteers assisted in the search for Smiley, including crews from the sheriff’s office, the Memphis Fire Department and the Shelby County Fire Department.
“The conditions of the river didn’t change much, in terms of its complexities, in terms of the danger,” Buckner said. “And so, our divers and our search and rescue teams are not immune to the troubles of the Wolf River.”
Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley confirmed the victim was his relative.
He posted online after the announcement: “It’s been an incredibly difficult time. I’m heartbroken to share that the body of my nephew, Thaddeus Smiley, who was swept away by the Wolf River, has been found. Thanks to the first responders & volunteers. Please keep our family in your prayers as we grieve this tragedy.”
As the Smiley family mourns the loss of their loved one, they’re focusing on the positives that have come out of this situation.
“We didn’t get the result we wanted, but we got something that was deeply important to every single person that uses the Smiley name,” JB Smiley said. “Our beloved family member, Thaddeus Smiley, is back with us. He’s no longer in the river. We know exactly where he is.”
In a social media post, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris extended his condolences to the Smiley family and called Thaddeus a “hero.”
“Mr. Smiley is a hero in every sense of the word who gave everything in heroic sacrifice to help a vulnerable child in danger,” Harris said. “He was an incredible young man, someone with the type of courage we should also wish we could emulate in similar circumstances.”
On behalf of the Memphis City Council, Chairman J. Ford Canale released a statement regarding Thaddeus’ death, noting that he was “more than a loved one — he is now a symbol of the kind of selflessness and love that uplifts and inspires.”
“Mr. Smiley’s bravery — risking his life in an effort to save a child — will never be forgotten. His selfless act of courage stands as a powerful reminder of the strength, compassion, and humanity that reside within our community. In the face of danger, he chose to act, and his legacy as a true hero will forever be etched in the heart of our city.”