The body of a South Shore, Ky., man, who reportedly drown while being chased by law enforcement officers, was pulled from the Ohio River at Ironton Sunday afternoon.

James Aaron Roe, 23, was the object of a search that began in the early morning hours Saturday, and was suspended Saturday evening.

“We had a call early Saturday morning from the Fuzzy Duck Restaurant that someone was fighting and causing trouble,” said Ironton City Police Chief James Carey. “When we arrived, the bar owners identified the people they said were involved, and when we tried to affect an arrest, he (Roe) fled, down over the river bank, to the boat landing in the 100 block of Center Street, and jumped into the river.”

Carey said officers tried to persuade Roe to come back, but said he would not return. “Then, I don't know if he got tired or what, but he went under,” he said.

Carey said shortly after 1:30 a.m., numerous fire departments responded, including South Shore, Russell and Ironton, and began searching and dragging, using lights.

Carey said that operation continued until 4 a.m. Saturday.

“The Carter County Rescue team arrived around 11a.m. and used underwater cameras which can scan a large area,” he said. “We were assisted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, who provided a boat, and the Cincinnati police sent two men with sonar for us to use, which is able to scan up to 120 feet,” he said.

Carey said they halted operations at approximately 5 p.m. Saturday, and went back out around noon Sunday, and located the body at approximately 1 p.m.

“The body was taken to a local funeral home, then sent to the Franklin County Coroner's office for an autopsy,” Carey said.

Roberson Funeral Home in South Shore is in charge of arrangements.

FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.