Man Drowns at Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park

CRISP COUNTY, GA — On Monday, July 28, 2025, at approximately 2:25 PM, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a missing person at Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park. The individual, identified as Mr. David Mason Jr., was last seen by family members near the dock in the beach and mega ramp area of the park.

A large-scale search effort was immediately initiated, involving ground crews, watercraft, and aerial units. After several hours of coordinated searching, Mr. Mason was found deceased in the water, the apparent victim of drowning.

The Crisp County Sheriff’s Office extended condolences to the family and expressed gratitude to the multiple agencies that assisted in the operation, including Crisp County Fire and Rescue, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Sumter County Fire Rescue and Dive Team, Georgia State Patrol Post 30, and the Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit.

Special thanks were also given to Ms. Linda Hawkins of Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park for providing park facilities to support the rescue teams and Mason’s family during the search.