Police recover body believed to be missing officer
DALLAS — Dallas police say they believe a body found by a Southern Methodist University police sergeant Wednesday afternoon at the edge of a Trinity River levee near downtown is likely that of an officer who disappeared in floodwaters almost two months ago.
An American flag was draped over the body after it was recovered.
"We're rendering our honors," said Major Jimmy Vaughan. "I'm assuming it's [Mark McCullers], the police officer we're looking for, so we paid our respects."
The Dallas Police Department’s dive team and SMU police responded to the scene at the corner of Oak Lawn Avenue and Levee Street Wednesday afternoon.
Woman, four great-grandchildren killed in Texas flooding
A Southern Methodist University police sergeant reported finding the body as he searched the area at about 2:30 p.m. CT. According to sources, the SMU sergeant told Dallas police that he crossed over the levee and could see a body in a uniform.
Dallas police say they're working to confirm the identity of the body.
The discovery comes almost two months after Mark McCullers, an SMU police officer, disappeared after he called for help on July 5. McCullers was working off-duty security at a construction site near Turtle Creek when severe storms led to flash flooding.
Video from July 5 showed McCullers attempting to exit his vehicle, which was swept away in the rushing water.
The body was discovered almost three miles away from where McCullers was last seen.
"The SMU supervisor comes here approximately three times a week, usually comes with another officer or two," said Major Jimmy Vaughan, a spokesman with Dallas police. "About a week or two ago, he came with the Texas State Guard, and they came out here with a handful of drones and they've been searching this entire area."
Vaughan said the SMU sergeant was drawn to the area where the body was found Wednesday when he spotted a large pile of debris.
"We haven't stopped looking for him," Vaughan said when asked about their continued efforts to find McCullers after the official search was called off.
"He's one of us," he continued. "We don't stop looking for our own."
Tiffany McCullers, wife of the missing officer, said they were in the process of moving into a new home and that her husband was pulling extra shifts to pay for a new washer and dryer. SMU has informed us that they have purchased a washer and dryer for the family.
A memorial page for McCullers has been posted on Facebook. Anyone who would like to help the family financially can do so through PayPal at this link, or you may visit any Wells Fargo location to make a donation to Officer Mark McCullers Memorial Fund (reference the account number 9976436577).
Follow Majorie Owens on Twitter: @clumsyandshy