Body of missing boater found

NEW MADRID, Mo. - The body of a missing fisherman was recovered Saturday, May 4, after an extensive search by authorities.

New Madrid Police Chief Joey Higgerson reported that the body of Bruce Shockley of East Prairie, Mo., was recovered early Saturday from the Mississippi River in Mississippi County, Ark. An autopsy is scheduled later this week in Little Rock, Ark.

Shockley was first discovered missing after his boat was found floating in the Mississippi River near New Madrid at approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 30. A short time later, the New Madrid Police Department was contacted by a game warden with the Missouri Department of Conservation that a truck and boat trailer, later determined to belong to Shockley, was sitting at the end of the New Madrid Bend boat ramp.

Assisting the New Madrid Police Department in the search for Shockley were: the New Madrid Fire and Rescue Squad, New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department, New Madrid County Emergency Management, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Conservation, Region E Homeland Security Response Team, Lilbourn Fire Department, Portageville Police Department, New Madrid County Ambulance District, city of New Madrid, Cumberland K-9 Search and Recovery, Lake County, Tennessee Rescue, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Mississippi County, Arkansas Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi County, Arkansas, Coroner’s Office.

“Additionally, we want to thank our community for the outpouring of support,” Higgerson added. “We are grateful to serve such a wonderful community. Please keep Mr. Shockley’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”