Tragic End To Family's Trip To Mendocino Coast

CHICO, Calif. (AP) -- A Lake County Sheriff's deputy on the trip to the coast with his 11-year-old son has died after being swept into the ocean along the Mendocino Coast earlier this week.

Deputy Jacob Steely was pronounced brain dead at Enloe Hospital in Chico on Thursday after several days in critical condition in the intensive care unit. He and his 11-year-old son were both swept into the water by a rogue wave. The son was rescued, treated and released from an area hospital.

Mendocino volunteer firefighters received a call Monday that two people had fallen into the ocean in a rocky area near Mendocino Point. There is no beach and there was no way for them to get out of the water on their own.

The deputy had been floating face down in the water for about 10 or 15 minutes before rescuers reached him.

His organs will be donated later this week.