A retired Washington detective was discovered dead following an unusual boating accident last Saturday. The body of David Easterly, 67, was recovered from Flathead Lake in Montana on Tuesday after he had jumped into the water three days earlier and failed to resurface, according to authorities.

Photographs show Easterly during his service, including one serving with the King County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years. The investigation revealed that Easterly went missing after exiting a boat on the lake. The circumstances surrounding his death are under review as the sheriff’s office conducts an inquiry.

Easterly’s history in law enforcement includes a notable incident in March 2023. While serving an eviction notice in Seattle, he was shot twice but survived. The bullets narrowly missed his vest, hitting his chest and side. An investigation determined the tenant, who had barricaded himself, fired the first shot before taking his own life. Easterly was taken to the hospital, undergone multiple surgeries, and lost one kidney. He expressed gratitude for blood donors who helped save his life, noting most of his blood was from donors, and he lost over 50 pounds during his seven-week recovery.

This violent episode led Easterly to decide to retire soon after. Reflecting on his career, he stated: “No, that’s it, I’m done. That’s it. I’m a little too old for this game.” He expressed a sense of completion after decades of service.