CoCo County Sheriff's Deputy drowns trying to save friend

MARTINEZ, Calif. (KGO) -- Flags at the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office were already at half-staff for Hayward Police Sergeant Scott Lunger. Now, the law enforcement community is mourning the loss of another.

Deputy Carlos Francies, 30, drowned while trying to save the life of a friend while out with family and friends at Lake Tahoe.

South Lake Tahoe police say it happened off El Dorado Beach near Highway 50.

He was paddle boarding and kayaking with his girlfriend, sister and her male friend in some very windy conditions.

Francie's sister went into the water and the friend jumped in to help. Deputy Francies thought the friend was struggling and jumped in, but ended up going under water himself.

His girlfriend performed CPR, but was unable to save him. Deputy Francies died at a nearby hospital.

Everybody else made it to shore safely.

His colleagues at the Sheriff's office are in shock.

"Deputy Francies sacrificed his life in the pursuit of trying to save the life of another while in Lake Tahoe. Deputy Francies was our colleague and friend. He was an outstanding person and professional and we are proud to say he was a Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff," said Shawn Welch, a spokesperson with sheriff's department.

Deputy Francies, who was called "Diamond" by family and friends, worked at the jail in Martinez.

He was a talented athlete who played football for Sacramento State and the Stockton Lightning arena football team.

Francies is survived by two sisters, who also both work in law enforcement. His brother, Coye Francies, played in the NFL, including with the Oakland Raiders.

Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston released a statement saying, "Deputy Carlos Francies died doing what he was sworn to do: putting himself in harm's way to protect the lives of others. He is a hero and an example of exactly what is right in law enforcement today. We mourn with his family, friends and colleagues."