A longtime Tampa police officer died Saturday while scuba diving in Nevada.

  • Officer Fred Arnold died while diving in Lake Mead
  • Arnold was a 27-year veteran of the Tampa Police Department
  • He was 48

Tampa police officials said Master Patrol Officer Fred Arnold died while diving in Lake Mead, just outside of Las Vegas.

"Fred’s entire City of Tampa family is mourning," said Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. "His service to the city of Tampa was unparalleled and he leaves behind a lasting legacy. I never saw him without a smile and he treated everyone he dealt with that same warmth and respect. My heartfelt condolences go out to Fred’s family."

His three children say their father was a family man, a jokester, who he was always there for them.

"He had a very infectious laugh, when he would just laugh everybody else would just laugh and we'd just have a fantastic time,’ said Arnold’s 16-year-old son, Fred Arnold, IV. “I feel like he knew the values of family."

"He was an amazing person,” said 23-year-old daughter, Amanda. “So much still that we wanted to do with him that we won't be able to but I know that his spirit is still with us," she said.


Officer Arnold's three children: left to right: 18-year-old Gabby Arnold, 16-year-old Fred Arnold, IV & 23-year-old Amanda Arnold

Clark County officials said Arnold was diving at the site of a submerged B-29 bomber and was unconscious when he resurfaced.

Officials said medical crews tried to revive him but could not. An exact cause of death has not been released.

Arnold, 48, served the Tampa community as an officer for 27 years. He also mentored teenagers in the Tampa Police Explorer program. 

Honors with the department included an Award for Valor and Officer of the Month. He was acknowledged for heroic actions like running into a burning building in 1992. Armando Roche was there that night when Arnold saved several members of a family from that house.

“I don't remember him as an officer on the street but as a guy that went through that window,” said Roche. “He didn't have to do it but he rose to the occasion and he did.”

Arnold was off-duty that night.

The Tampa Police Benevolent Association released a statement on social media, saying "Fred was a great guy and a mentor to many police officers as he served in our department for over 20 years.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to his family."

Arnold's funeral arrangements will be announced next week.

His death remains under investigation.