LENA - The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of a July 4 drowning victim at Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park.

Myles Patrick, age 65 of Freeport, was pronounced deceased at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport following a swimming accident at the northwest Illinois state park.

On July 4, 2023, at approximately 12:13 p.m., Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park near Lena for a subject swimming outside of the swim area and in distress. Upon arrival, a deputy made contact with bystanders who advised a male subject was attempting to swim out and retrieve a remote-controlled boat when he appeared to be having difficulty swimming. The bystanders advised the subject went under water near the remote-controlled boat and had not resurfaced.

A Stephenson County Deputy, Lena Police Officer and Leamon’s Ambulance personnel swam out to the area that the subject was last seen and began searching. In a short amount of time the subject was located under water. The subject, Patrick, was brought to the surface and, with the assistance of bystanders in kayaks, the subject was taken to shore. Lena Fire and Leamon’s EMS personnel rendered aid and transported the subject to FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport.

No First Responders were injured during the handling of this incident.

Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office, Lena Fire Department, Leamon’s Ambulance Service, Lena Police Department and Illinois Conservation Police all responded. In a July 5 press release, the Sheriff’s Office extended its appreciation to the other responders and bystanders that provided safety equipment, kayaks, information and directions.

The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office also extend its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased for their tragic loss.