After days of searching, the body of a North Carolina firefighter who had gone missing while swimming over the weekend has been recovered.
Greenville crews located the body of Gary Cox, 24, in the Tar River on Tuesday morning, WNCT-TV reports. Cox had been a volunteer firefighter with the Red Oak Fire Department.
“Gary was a wonderful man. He had a love for the community, and he had a servant’s heart. He just had a warm personality and had friends no matter where he went,” Fire Chief George Darden told WNCT.
Cox had been boating with fellow off-duty firefighters Sunday. He went missing after going for a swim.
Following the recovery, a procession was held to honor Cox. His body was carried by ambulance through uptown Greenville and to Vidant Medical Center, according to WNCT.
