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Body of missing Cache Creek chief found

On the night of May 5, Cache Creek, B.C., Fire Chief Clayton Cassidy disappeared after heavy rainfall and flooding in the Interior. Cassidy had gone to check water levels and failed to return. After several days, Cassidy was presumed dead. Cassidy’s body was discovered on May 27 by firefighters from a nearby department. Below are stories about the fallen chief published on Fire Fighting in Canada's website:

June 5, 2017, Cache Creek, B.C.- The community of Cache Creek said a final goodbye to their fallen fire chief on Saturday. Hundreds of people attended the celebration of life for Clayton Cassidy. Global News reports. | READ MORE

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May 29, 2017, Cache Creek, B.C. - RCMP officials have confirmed that Cache Creek, B.C., fire chief Clayton Cassidy was found dead on May 27.

Around 10:30 p.m., the Ashcroft fire department alerted the RCMP that they found Cassidy's body in the creek while performing their daily patrol of the area.

Cassidy had been missing since May 5, following heavy rainfall and intense flooding. He was last known to be checking water levels in Cache Creek, and his vehicle was later found at the site. He was thought to have been swept away by the flood water, and was presumed dead after several days.

RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said the discovery appears to confirm that theory.

"It's thought that Mr. Cassidy had fallen in the creek several weeks ago when we had torrential downpours in the area," he said.

Moskaluk says recovery efforts are still ongoing. "We're confident that we should be able to complete a safe recovery today," he said.

Cache Creek mayor John Ranta said Cassidy was "highly respected" in the community.

After floods hit the area in May of 2015, Cassidy worked hard to help residents whose homes were damaged. He was given a Medal of Good Citizenship by the provincial government for his service.

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May 15, 2017, Ashcroft, B.C. - Police say the search has been suspended for a fire chief believed to have been swept away by high flood waters in British Columbia's interior.
Ashcroft RCMP say dozens of crews have been searching for Clayton Cassidy of Cache Creek since he disappeared on May 5. 

He was last known to be checking creek flow levels at a campground as snowmelt and rain caused floods in the region. 

Sgt. Kathleen Thain says searchers have completed "exhaustive efforts," scouring several water ways, including Cache Creek, Bonaparte River and the Thompson River with no success. 

She says the water is still high and moving fast, and once the levels go down, searchers will look at other possible recovery efforts. 

Cassidy was given a Medal of Good Citizenship by the B.C. government last year for his efforts helping Cache Creek residents during a devastating flood in May 2015. 

Cache Creek Mayor John Ranta has said losing Cassidy is a tragedy of epic proportions. 

"He worked day after day after day after day, 14-hour days, helping people that had debris in their yards or sand and gravel or whatnot," Ranta said. "He just worked tirelessly until the whole community was cleaned up."

Ranta said Cassidy's death will be deeply felt in Cache Creek. "While flood damage can be repaired and we can take measures to prevent further flooding, the thing that can't be replaced is the life of Clayton Cassidy. That will be a tragedy that lives with us for years to come."

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May 8, 2017, Ashcroft, B.C. - The community of Ashcroft, reeling from devastating floods, turned out in force as waters receded over the weekend to search for missing Cache Creek Fire Chief Clayton Cassidy. Sadly, the search shifted from rescue to recovery on Sunday after Search and Rescue teams, aided by dozens of local volunteers, found no sign of the missing man. The Vancouver Sun reports. | READ MORE 

June 19, 2017 
By Global News Canadian Press Vancouver Sun