Recovery Efforts for Nick Swink February 22-24, 2013

02/27/2013

Search and Rescue resources from 11 Arkansas Counties, 2 out-of-state counties and 2 State Agencies gathered in the St. Francis County on the weekend of February 22- 24, 2013 to contribute to the recovery effort of the remains of Deputy Nick Swink.
Sheriff J.R. Smith's continuing efforts for that purpose led him to request assistance from across the state. Sheriff Smith said "Our local responders and other volunteers have diligently searched for Nick since his disappearance. We thought we would give the local folks a break, some time to be with their families, therefore we utilized our mutual aid partners from around the state”.
One hundred and forty searchers including water canine, ground canine and field crews searched from the St. Francis CR 1004 bridge to the railroad bridge south of Madison.
Smith added "Though we were unable to find Nick, we considered the effort a success because of the excellent search coverage. We have ruled out numerous locations. The river was higher than we wanted, so we were not able to search some places.  When the river goes down again, we will put together another large search effort."
Smith also complimented all the Cross County and St. Francis County officials for their help in the effort.
Smith said he especially appreciated the Tri-County Baptist Youth Camp and the Arkansas Baptist Relief Organization for providing shelter and meals for the weekend long mission.
This multi -agency, multi-discipline effort included law enforcement, medical, fire, SAR and emergency communications personnel from: Clark County, Crawford County, Cross County, Franklin County, Grant County, Howard County, Johnson County, Logan County, Sebastian County, Rankin County, Shelby County TN, St. Francis County and Washington County AR. City of Jonesboro, City of Wynne, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Department of Parks, Jackson MS, Jonesboro AR Police Department, Wynne Fire Department, Vanndale Fire Department, Cross County CERT, Newcastle AR Fire Department, St. Francis County EMS Paramedics, Colt AR Fire Department, Caldwell AR Fire Department, Palestine AR Fire Department, St. Francis County Road Department.  

Supplies were donated by Nimocks Oil Company, Walmart-Forrest City, Pepsi, Food Giant and Bill Lytle Trucking.

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