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A Lane County Sheriff’s Office deputy drowned Sunday afternoon at Lewis Creek Park east of Sweet Home.

Courtney Anderson, 36, of Eugene, was on a paddleboard near the creek’s designated swim area, where, according to a Linn County Sheriff’s Office news release, she reportedly slipped trying to help a child. The release stated that she was not wearing a life jacket at the time she entered the water.

Anderson remained underwater for several minutes until she was found by other swimmers and pulled to the surface. She was lifted onto a Linn County Sheriff’s Office boat and transported by Sweet Home medics to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson was a U.S. Army veteran and a seven-year deputy with the agency, where she worked in corrections security, court Transport and patrol. “Despite her professional successes,” a release stated, “Courtney’s No. 1 priority was raising her young son. … Her sudden and tragic death has knocked the wind out of us. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with Courtney and her family following this heartbreaking tragedy.”

Any witnesses who left the scene prior to being interviewed are encouraged to contact Linn County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stuart Spangler at (541) 967-3950.