Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff Assistant District Attorney William R. “Bill” North, 64, died over the weekend in an apparent boating accident.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, North’s body was found “at approximately 11:12 a.m. Monday, June 29…near the same location in which he entered the water on the southern portion of Logan Martin Lake in St. Clair County.”
ALEA announced the search for North with the following statement on Sunday:
“A marine-related event involving two-vessels that occurred at approximately 3 p.m. Sunday, June 28, has resulted in the search for a missing boater. William R. North, 64, of Bessemer was serving as a spotter for the Pell City Sail Club with an ongoing sailboat race when North attempted to transition from a sailboat to an unoccupied jon boat and fell into the water. North went below the water’s surface and did not resurface.
“The incident occurred on Logan Martin Lake near the Pell City Sail Club in St. Clair County, which is near the southern portion of Logan Martin Lake.”
Search and recovery efforts continued on Sunday and restarted at approximately 6 a.m. Monday, June 29, according to an ALEA update.
After the recovery, ALEA also said they “would like to recognize and thank the following agencies for their assistance in the search and recovery process: Pell City Police Department, Pell City Fire Department, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln Special Operations Unit, New London Fire Department, Childersburg Rescue Squad, Munford Rescue Squad, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Alexander City Rescue Squad and ALEA’s Aviation Unit.
“Nothing further is available as ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers continue to investigate.”
North’s body was given an honor escort to the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office, according to reports.
“Our office is devastated,” said District Attorney Lynneice Washington. “Assistant District Attorney North was an exceptional prosecutor, a dedicated public servant, and a deeply cherished member of our legal family.”
North served the Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney’s Office for nearly 30 years.
No funeral arrangements have yet been announced.