Blog Layout

Baldwin County mourns deputy lost in water rescue

John Mullen • Jun 07, 2021

Second deputy taken to hospital, later released

Baldwin County, Alabama Deputy Sheriffs William Smith, left, and Sydney Wentworth.

NOTE: This story was updated at 2:27 p.m. after Sheriff Hoss Mack's news conference.


(OBA®) – Orange Beach, AL – It’s a sad Baldwin County this morning after the drowning of Baldwin County Deputy Sheriff William Smith, 57, during a water rescue attempt in Fort Morgan on Sunday evening, June 6. According to Sheriff Hoss Mack, Smith was assigned to a new beach detail with another officer and when he was pulled from the water he was in cardiac arrest.


“He saw his need to put his life on the line to save somebody else’s and that’s what he did,” Mack said. “He saved a life yesterday.”


Smith was transported to the new South Baldwin freestanding emergency room in Gulf Shores where medical staff tried to resuscitate him for an hour, Mack said.


“We do believe that riptides were increasing as this was occurring and the growing surf also played a part in the incident,” Mack said.


Another officer who participated in the rescue, Deputy Sydney Wentworth, was transported from the scene to South Baldwin Regional Hospital and was released from the hospital later in the evening.


Mack said Wentworth went into the water to help Adrienne Korecky but she herself became distressed. A beach service attendant then entered the water to help the pair who eventually made it to shore.


The beach attendant was then in trouble and, according to a news release from the Baldwin County Sheriff's office said someone grabbed him and said take this rescue buoy and swim to shore. The release said that person was Smith.


Korecky and the attendant were transported to local hospitals, the attendant to the South Baldwin freestanding ER and the Korecky to Springhill Hospital in Mobile. Mack said both have been released and are recovering at home.


Fort Morgan does not have a flag system in place but the county installed special road signs to alert visitors and residents to water conditions along Fort Morgan Road in unincorporated areas. Yellow flags signaling medium hazard were flown in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on Sunday evening.


Mack said the two deputies are part of a new beach patrol started by the sheriff’s department in March to patrol the beaches during the busy vacation season. Both, and all officers assigned to beach patrol, received special training before the new patrol was launched, Mack said.


Smith came to Baldwin County from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s office and before that spent 30 years in the fire service in Georgia and Weaver, Alabama. He had been with Baldwin County for two years and was a resident of Gulf Shores.


In another incident, three fishermen off the coast of Dauphin Island were rescued by Coast Guard Mobile Sector. The men were fishing near Little Sand Island when their John boat capsized.

Share this article w/ Friends...

530 Acre Controlled Burn Underway in Elberta
By R. Ken Cooper 28 Mar, 2024
In an effort to manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risk, a controlled burn is currently underway on a 530-acre tract located at 8807 Baptist Camp Road in Elberta, Alabama. This planned burn is part of a broader strategy to maintain the health of the local ecosystem, protect communities from the threat of uncontrolled wildfires, and enhance habitat for wildlife.
Gulf Shores Shooting Drew Quick Police Action
By R. Ken Cooper 28 Mar, 2024
A shooting incident occurred on Wednesday night in the Surf Style Parking area near Gulf Place in Gulf Shores. The streets were filled with spring breakers. The Gulf Shores Police Department received a call about the incident at approximately 8:51 p.m. A 21-year-old male suspect was taken into custody at the Wal-Mart parking lot. A juvenile male victim was transported to the hospital, where he was later reported to be in stable condition.
Foley's Skies Will Light Up With Color For The 20th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival
By R. Ken Cooper 28 Mar, 2024
Foley is gearing up for the 20th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, set to take place from May 2 to 4, 2024. This year's festival will be once again hosted at OWA Parks & Resort. This is the fourth consecutive year OWA has hosted the event.
Gulf Shores’ Meyer Park Is Going To The Dogs
By R. Ken Cooper 28 Mar, 2024
The City of Gulf Shores announces a new event that promises to be a tail-wagging good time for both residents and their canine companions. The inaugural Doggy Fest 2024 is set to take place at Meyer Park on Saturday, April 20th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Former Foley Mayor Koniar
By Guy Busby 27 Mar, 2024
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey authorized flags in Foley to be flown at half staff Thursday, March 28, in recognition of former Mayor John Koniar. Koniar, 80, died Friday at his home in Foley. In issuing the order, Ivey authorized Mayor Ralph Hellmich to direct that flags in Foley be at half staff from sunrise until sunset Thursday. In a statement, she said Koniar had a long history of dedicated service to Foley and the country.
Bike Rack Stock Photo
By R. Ken Cooper 27 Mar, 2024
The Foley Main Street Community Foundation, on behalf of multiple local stakeholders, has announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) to create artistic bicycle racks to enhance Downtown Foley. This initiative seeks to combine practicality with artistry, providing secure and aesthetically pleasing bicycle storage solutions.
Baldwin County 911 New Director
By OBA Staff 27 Mar, 2024
In a move that bolsters the Baldwin County 911 Center's leadership and operational capabilities, the Board, chaired by David Wilson, has appointed Kristi Stamnes as the new Director. Bringing an extensive background in public safety and emergency response leadership, Stamnes is poised to take the helm at the center. With the recent restructuring to include two Deputy Directors, the center is set to tackle the challenges of unprecedented growth in the county. Stamnes's appointment is seen as a strategic step in ensuring excellence in customer service and fostering the development of future leaders within the organization.
Alabama's Red Snapper Season Opens in Gulf of Mexico May 24th
By OBA Staff 26 Mar, 2024
The Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that Alabama state waters and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest on Friday, May 24, 2024. The season will consist of four-day weekends, Friday through Monday, beginning Friday, May 24, and continue until the private angler quota is projected to be met. Additionally, the entire week that includes Independence Day (July 1-5) will be open for red snapper fishing.
Wesley Nance
By OBA Staff 26 Mar, 2024
Late Sunday night, the Foley Police Department rushed to a home on Park Avenue after getting calls about a fight. They found 29-year-old James Ryan Vaughn from Foley with stab wounds. A witness told police that James's brother, 33-year-old Wesley Nathanael Nance, also from Foley, stabbed him during a fight and then ran away.
Spring is Blossoming on the Alabama Gulf Coast
By Puffer Thompson 26 Mar, 2024
As spring unfolds along Alabama's Gulf Coast, there’s no shortage of natural beauty to be found in the azaleas, magnolia blossoms, and dogwood trees that surround us. But take a closer look and you’ll find a diverse tapestry of other plant life that thrives in our area.
Show More
Share by: