Lieutenant Gordon Gwathney, 57, of the Knoxville Police Department died Oct. 26 after his kayak overturned during a duck hunt in a slough roughly 15 miles northwest of Woodworth, Stutsman County emergency officials confirmed. The incident occurred at approximately 8:45 a.m. while Gwathney and three companions were hunting waterfowl, and was later corroborated by KX News, InForum and an official announcement from the Knoxville Police Department.

According to multiple reports, strong winds estimated at 30 to 40 mph contributed to the overturning of the kayak as Gwathney attempted to retrieve a shot duck. He was wearing waders but was not using a life preserver. Responders from the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office located the victim and Carrington Ambulance transported him to CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington, where he was pronounced dead. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is leading the investigation into the circumstances of the drowning.

The fatality highlights hazards that are familiar to residents of Stutsman County: shallow sloughs, sudden wind shifts in the fall season, and the added risk when hunters enter the water while wearing heavy clothing or waders. Local emergency response agencies handled recovery and medical transport, but the incident raises broader questions for the community about safety practices for both residents and out-of-state visitors who may be less familiar with local waterways.

Stutsman County leaders and public safety officials have long worked to balance access to public hunting areas with safety outreach, yet this case may prompt renewed attention to prevention measures. The involvement of an out-of-state visitor — a career law enforcement officer from Tennessee — brings added urgency to public education efforts aimed at visitors who may not understand local wind patterns or the need for flotation devices when operating small watercraft in sloughs and marshy areas.

This event also draws attention to emergency response considerations in rural counties. While the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office and Carrington Ambulance executed search and transport, residents and officials may examine response times, water-rescue training, and equipment availability at a time of year when hunting-related incidents typically increase. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s pending report will be critical in clarifying contributing factors, including precise wind measurements and whether any other conditions played a role.

Authorities have confirmed the basic timeline: the kayak overturned and Gwathney drowned on Oct. 26; local responders pronounced him deceased after transport to CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington; the Knoxville Police Department issued notice of his death shortly thereafter; and regional outlets updated coverage on Oct. 27 and 28. Further verification is needed on the full investigative findings from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and on any forthcoming information about memorial arrangements.

For Stutsman County residents, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between seasonal outdoor recreation and public safety infrastructure. Local officials say additional outreach and discussion about life-preserver use, weather awareness and preparedness for hunters — particularly those from outside the region — could reduce the risk of similar tragedies.