FORT PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – The Stanley County Sheriff’s Office says the body of Lee Weber from Pierre was found Thursday afternoon on the Fort Pierre side of the Missouri River, between the railroad and car bridges.

Weber’s body was found around 4 p.m. by volunteers helping with the search. The body was placed in a body bag and taken to the bike path where family members and colleagues spent time paying their respects. The body eventually was covered by an American flag and carried by law enforcement officers to a waiting funeral vehicle. A procession of law enforcement vehicles escorted Weber’s body to the funeral home.

“This is a very sad moment, but we also are very relieved that Lee’s body was found,” said Hughes County Sheriff Darin Johnson. “It is important that the family and his friends have closure. Lee deserves this tribute.”

Weber, 37, jumped into the river Friday, July 3, to save his eight-year-old son who had fallen from a moving boat. The child was saved by a nearby boat. Weber, who was not wearing a life jacket, was swept away by the river’s current. The incident happened at 2:51 p.m. Friday, two miles northwest of Fort Pierre.

The search was conducted each day starting Friday afternoon. Funeral services are pending. Prayers for the family and respect for the their privacy are requested during this time. The Stanley County Sheriff’s Office thanks all of the agencies and volunteers who helped with the search.

Weber was the Hughes County Chief Deputy Sheriff and served in the South Dakota National Guard.

A GoFundMe page has been established for Weber’s family. It says donations will be used to assist with memorial expenses, daily expenses that come with raising six children and future educational expenses. In addition to the fundraising website, the Lee Weber Memorial Account has been established at BankWest.