BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With patrol lights flashing and sirens blaring, dozens of Buffalo police officers participated in procession, driving from the waterfront to the medical examiner’s officer.
The officers were bringing home one of their own, Officer Craig Lehner.
The 34-year-old member of the K-9 unit had disappeared five days earlier during an underwater rescue team training exercise. More than 15 agencies from across the state and border worked tirelessly, locating the officer in the water off of Strawberry Island just after 1:25 p.m. Tuesday.
Police tell us, using sonar equipment, they spotted something in the water around that area late Monday.
“One of the sonar boats saw an image approximately 2,000 to 3,000 feet north of the international rail bridge,” says Lt. Jeff Rinaldo.
He said divers made multiple trips down but were unable to find him, ultimately bad conditions forced them from the water. First thing on the fifth day of search, the sonar-equipped vessels swept over the area again. Divers from Officer Lehner’s own rescue team found him as he was beginning to surface in the water.
Police took him by boat, making the identification.
“I don’t think anyone expected this to last as long as it did but at the end of the day, we did what we said were going to do,” says Lt. Rinaldo. “We were going to bring our brother home and we accomplished that.”
Commissioner Daniel Derenda saying it was very emotional for all those involved. He tells us in addition to the more than a dozen agencies that helped during the search, another 20 to 30 departments called to offer their services.
“It was nothing less than amazing,” said Commissioner Derenda.
Police tell us they don’t have information about funeral arrangements yet.
“The time for emotions is now,” said Lt. Rinaldo. “Our team is going to need some time to recoup, to spend some time with one another, with their families and I think everyone on the Underwater Recovery Team should be extremely proud of themselves.”
