Underwater Criminal Investigators of Alabama

09/13/2026

Congratulations!
Training with this dedicated and talented group of divers from across Arkansas was truly an honor. They put in hard work every day, even in the intense heat, never once complaining or slowing down throughout the course. Their communities are fortunate to have such capable individuals with a genuine spirit of service.

I want to extend my gratitude to David and Erin Starbuck, Diamond State Dive & Travel, LLC, the Greers Ferry Dive Team, and the City of Greers Ferry for their generous hospitality in hosting the course. The logistics involved were significant, and David managed everything exceptionally well.

I look forward to returning soon!

Underwater Criminal Investigators
Greers Ferry Dive Team

•TODAY, THEY MADE HISTORY•
•FIRST CLASS IN ARKANSAS•

After 8 long, demanding days of intensive training, Public Safety Dive & Rescue Team members from agencies as far away as Washington County and as close as right here in Greers Ferry accomplished something truly special.

Today, these divers successfully completed their training and proudly earned the title of:

🎓 MASTER UNDERWATER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR 🎓

Over the past eight days, these men and women have been pushed physically and mentally while developing advanced skills in underwater criminal investigation, search and recovery, evidence collection and preservation, body recovery, vehicle recovery, low- and no-visibility operations, and much more.

They trained hard. They worked together. They overcame challenges. And today, they earned it.

We could not be more proud of each and every one of you. The knowledge and skills you are taking back to your departments will strengthen Public Safety Dive & Rescue capabilities across Arkansas and beyond.

A very special thank you to the City of Greers Ferry, Greers Ferry Police Department, Greers Ferry Dive Team, and Diamond State Dive & Travel for helping host this incredible training opportunity.

We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to Clint Barnett and UCI for traveling from Alabama to Greers Ferry to instruct, challenge, and share their knowledge and experience with these outstanding divers.

What started eight days ago as a group of Public Safety Divers from different agencies ends today as a group of Master Underwater Criminal Investigators united by training, professionalism, and a commitment to serving their communities.

Congratulations, graduates! You earned every bit of this accomplishment.

🤿🚔 Train hard. Dive safe. Serve with purpose.

09/01/2026

Great job, by a great team!
Proud of their success!

08/29/2026

08/12/2026

08/11/2026

We will be training with some great people!

08/10/2026

🤿 Husband & wife scuba instructors | Small classes • Personalized training • Confident divers | Proudly affiliated with LifeWaters

08/09/2026

5 DEAD. 9 CASES. ALL LINKED TO SEAWATER.

Louisiana health officials are warning coastal water users after nine people have contracted Vibrio vulnificus so far in 2026 — and five have died.

Every reported case involved a wound exposed to seawater.

For divers, swimmers and boaters, the message is simple: don't enter salt or brackish water with an open wound.

We look at what divers need to know about Vibrio vulnificus, who is most at risk and how to reduce the danger.

🤿 👉 https://buff.ly/g2m0pQh

07/31/2026

Lexington County deputy dies during dive team training

LEXINGTON, S.C. – A member of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s dive team died Thursday during an underwater training session on Lake Murray.

Jillian Olson, 29, began her career as a Lexington County deputy in 2021. After more than a year as a patrol deputy, she transferred to a warrant deputy position. Olson was promoted to master deputy in the Warrant Division in 2025. She has been a member of the LCSD dive team since 2024.

“Our hearts are broken by the loss of a valuable member of the Sheriff’s Department,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Jillian exemplified commitment and service. She faithfully carried out her duties and selflessly worked to make those around her better.”

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Foundation named Olson the outstanding judicial services deputy of the year at its annual awards banquet last spring, according to Koon.

“The foundation recognized Jillian for showing exceptional initiative and leadership by, on her own time, developing reference guides and document templates for use by judicial services deputies,” Koon said. “The tools Jillian developed improved deputy training and operational workflow.”

Olson, a resident of Lexington, received the Sheriff’s Department’s tactical operations support award in 2023. She was scheduled to receive the department’s five-year honorable service award next month.

A native of Illinois, Olson graduated from Western Illinois University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration. She completed a master’s degree in student personnel services from the institution in 2021.

“Jillian’s dedication to her community and department is well-documented with awards and recognitions,” Koon said. “She’ll be most remembered for what she did with no fanfare. Her decision to join our dive team is just one example of her going above and beyond.”

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is leading the investigation into Olson's death, with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The Lexington County Coroner's Office is conducting its own investigation to determine Olson's cause and manner of death.

"I am grateful to DNR, SLED and our county coroner for the sensitive and respectful way they've handled everything," Koon said. "I would also like to express my thanks to the countless public safety agencies that responded without hesitation from across the whole state to help us in our time of need."