Overview
- The Caldwell County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office identified the victim as Ryan McKnight, its environmental crimes investigator, and confirmed his death from drowning in the Nueces River.
- The drowning occurred near Cooksey Dam in Uvalde County and Uvalde County sheriff’s deputies assisted the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at the scene.
- The constable’s office described McKnight as a valued, hard-working team member and asked the public to keep his family and colleagues in their thoughts and prayers.
- Local officials have released limited investigative details about the circumstances of the drowning and cautioned that the Nueces River can be unpredictable with shifting currents and changing water levels.
- McKnight’s work included probing illegal dumping and environmental violations and supporting local schools, leaving an operational and community gap for his department as it grieves.