From The Tribune staff reports
WEDOWEE, Ala. — The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office released the identity of a man who died after jumping off a cliff into Lake Wedowee, on Saturday, June 13, 2020.
The body of Christopher Michael Sterley, 22, of Hoover, was recovered from the lake two days later, on Monday, June 15.
The sheriff’s office said the Randolph County Rescue Squad had been searching for Sterley after family members said he jumped off what is known as “the jumping rock.”
The incident happened about a mile from the Lonnie White Boat Ramp on the Harris Reservoir. Randolph County Sheriff David Cofield said crews were dispatched just after 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
After multiple agencies worked throughout the weekend, members of the Houston County Rescue Unit Dive Team recovered Sterley’s body on Monday.
“The Randolph County Sheriff Office expresses extreme gratitude towards Randolph County Rescue Squad, Houston County Rescue Unit, ALEA Marine Police and Patrol Division, Randolph County EMA, Alexander City/ Tallapoosa County Rescue Squad, Clay County Rescue Squad, Randolph County Sheriff Reserves, Lineville Police Dept., B&K Diving, Retired officer Ricky Hancock, Wedowee Fire Dept., Newell Fire Dept., and Southern Ambulance Transport for the time and effort involved in this three day search and recovery,” the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook. “We also appreciate all of the private citizens and businesses that extended their love and support to Mr. Sterley by donating snacks and drinks to these agencies and volunteers.”
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office also expressed condolences to Sterley’s family and asked everyone on the lake to “proceed with extreme caution.”
