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Florida man dies after diving in Lake Mead

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BOULDER CITY, Nev. (AP) - Authorities say an off-duty Florida police officer visiting southern Nevada has died after going diving.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area officials say they received a report around 1:30 p.m. Saturday that 48-year-old Fred Thomas Arnold III, of Tampa, had surfaced but was unconscious.

Crews from the National Park Service, the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the Clark County Fire Department responded.

But they pronounced him dead.

The Clark County Medical Examiner says the cause of death is still pending.

Tampa police Lt. Kimberly Plourde-Torres confirmed Sunday that Arnold was a 27-year veteran of the department.

She says his death has hit fellow officers very hard.

She describes Arnold as someone who was "always smiling, always giving you hugs."

The incident remains under investigation.

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