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Retired RCMP officer drowns

The body of recently retired RCMP Staff Sgt. Russell Gillespie, was recovered at Twin Lakes near Breton shortly after 4 p.m. Sept. 23.

The body of recently retired RCMP Staff Sgt. Russell Gillespie, was recovered at Twin Lakes near Breton shortly after 4 p.m. Sept. 23.

The search concluded after hours of searching by response agencies, RCMP members and three recreational divers who offered to help.

RCMP spokesman Staff Sgt. Shawn LeMay said Gillespie was scuba diving, when he experienced difficulties. While immediate attempts were made to provide assistance and get him to the surface, those measures were unsuccessful.

Gillespie, 55, was most recently attached to the Northwest Region Review Services as the NCO i/c for K Division. He retired July 15.

Search and Rescue from Rocky Mountain House, the Northern Alberta Aquatic Rescue Society Dive team and the Wetaskiwin RCMP boat were all on scene to assist.