KENOZA LAKE, NY — On Wednesday, May 19, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Sullivan County Sheriff’s office responded to Kenoza Lake in the Town of Delaware for a report of a missing boater. Deputies were informed by family members at the scene that Terry Davis, Sr., age 62, of Jeffersonville, had left his residence around 5:30 a.m. to go fishing. The family became concerned when they attempted to contact him a few hours later by cellphone and he did not answer. A family member found his pickup truck by a boat launch around 3:00 p.m. There was no sign of him or his 10-foot Coleman fishing boat. Deputies searched the shoreline with state troopers and Kenoza Lake firefighters. The Sullivan County Dive Team responded to the scene and commenced a search of the lake. The victim’s tackle box was recovered floating in the water near the shore, later in the evening. The search was finally called off at dusk.

The search resumed on May 20, at 6:00 a.m., with additional divers brought in from the Ulster and Greene County Sheriff’s Offices as well as K-9 teams from Ramapo Search and Rescue. At approximately 10:20 a.m., Terry Davis Sr.’s body was located approximately 20 yards off of the southern shoreline by a state police marine unit using sonar. Divers recovered both the victim and his submerged boat in approximately 12 feet of water. The Sullivan County Coroner office has been notified and is responding.

Sheriff Mike Schiff, who was on the scene for both days of the operation, thanked all of the first responders for their dedication and professionalism. “Now we must say a prayer for the family”, said the sheriff.

In addition to the Sullivan County Fire Coordinator’s office,  Jeffersonville, White Lake, Youngsville, Rock Hill, Narrowsburg and Highland Lake Fire Departments, as well as DEC Forest Rangers and Jeffersonville Ambulance Corps responded to the scene. The sheriff’s office, New York State Police and Rock Hill Fire Department provided drone surveillance during the search.