Andalusia man dies at Lake Frank Jackson
Published 12:02 am Wednesday, February 29, 2012
A 71-year-old Andalusia man was found dead at Lake Frank Jackson near Opp late Tuesday.
Assistant Chief Michael McDonald of the Opp Police Department said law enforcement agencies were notified of “overdue fisherman,” Aaron Frank Whatley, 71, of Andalusia about 7:01 p.m. Tuesday.
Opp Police units responded to the Lake Frank Jackson State Park boat landing area and confirmed the boater’s vehicle and trailer were still located in the boat ramp area. Other police and fire units responded to the area of U.S. Hwy. 331 and Potter Road.
At 7:39 p.m., one of the boats searching for the missing fisherman located his empty boat on the lake approximately 200 yards east of U.S. 331. The search continued and at 8:11 p.m., one of the boats assisting in the search located Whatley’s body.
The Opp Police Department and Alabama Marine Police are investigating his death.
The OPD expressed its thanks to the Covington County Sheriff’s Department, the Babbie Fire Department, and the Alabama Department of Public Safety, as well as volunteers, for their help with the search.