National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Deputy Sheriff

Memorial Panel: 50-E: 29

Department: Contra Costa County, California, S.O.

End of Watch: August 13, 2015

Cause: DROW

Age: 30

Years of Service: 3.5

Description: Deputy Sheriff Francies drowned while off-duty as he attempted to save a friend who appeared to be in distress. Deputy Francies was at Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County, California, with friends on his day off. While the group of four were .75 miles from the shore on kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, his sister fell into the water. A second member jumped in and assisted Deputy Francies's sister back into her kayak. The individual then swam towards his kayak with his paddle still in his hands, which gave the appearance he was struggling to swim. Deputy Francies jumped into the water to save his friend when he became distressed ten feet away from his own paddleboard. Deputy Francies's girlfriend attempted to throw a life jacket to him, which landed short. She jumped in the water and with the assistance of others nearby, got him to shore. Deputy Francies was transported to the hospital where he died. Only Deputy Francies's sister was wearing a life vest.