www.iFourWinns.com

While we didn't know him personally, we've seen them enough to wave too as they put out from the same marina we do. Our prayers are with his family. Y'all be careful out there:

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. - The patrol car of a Spotsylvania County Sheriff's deputy sits draped in black Sunday as fellow deputies mourn one of their own who died yesterday in a tragic boating accident.

Deputy Dean Ridings, 52, was on marine patrol of a crowded Lake Anna when the accident happened around 12:40p.m., Saturday.

"The boat was struck by a large wake, or a series of wakes which caused the boat to go sideways and caused Deputy Ridings to strike his head," says Sheriff Howard Smith.

Smith says that the lake is usually very busy on weekends, making the waters rougher than usual.

He was taken to Mary Washington Hospital where he died as a result of his injuries. Deputy William Schroeder, who was driving the boat, was thrown from the boat into the water and was later rescued by other boats.

Ridings had been a member of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office since 2004. His two sons are also deputies with the county.

He is the first Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Deputy to die in the line of duty since 1988.

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Doc
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1997 Horizon 200

I am sorry to hear of that, it definitely makes you think about things a little more on the water. To be honest I am actually very shaken tonight as I had a near death experience today on the lake. I am so lucky, I honestly said my final prayers and thought I was going to drown. Long story short a lot of bad decisions or lack of fore thought lead to me ending up in a rescue situation of my boxer and my best friend. I thank God that I am here...so to read of the death hits me pretty hard and I will pray for his family.

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2006 Four Winns Horizon 180 3.0L Volvo Penta
Towed by 1978 Chevrolet Pickup 4x4 (Yeah it's old but it has family history)