Equipment Failure a Factor in Virginia Officer’s Diving Death

February 17, 2012

Chesapeake, Va., police chief Kelvin Wright says equipment failure contributed to the death of an officer during a dive-team training exercise.

Wright also says there were no emergency responders on standby during the Dec. 20 exercise at a lake.

Media outlets report that Wright released the findings of his department’s investigation Wednesday.

A state Medical Examiner’s Office spokesman says an enlarged heart also contributed to the death of 41-year-old Officer Timothy Schock.

Schock was participating in an underwater search and rescue exercise when he began to have trouble breathing. Other members of the dive team helped him to the shore and tried to revive him.

Wright says the department is replacing the equipment that failed. All diving equipment will now be serviced by a technician instead of the officers.