EADYTOWN -- An Orangeburg County animal control officer, fishing with a fellow county employee, drowned Saturday, after his boat capsized in the Santee River.

The body of 45-year-old Anthony Simmons was found a little after noon Saturday, Berkeley County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Salisbury reported.

Salisbury told The (Charleston) Post and Courier that Simmons and Tony Robinson of Orangeburg were fishing Saturday in 14-foot aluminum boat below the Lake Marion spillway. The boat capsized when Simmons stood up and threw the anchor overboard.

Robinson was rescued by two fishermen.

Salisbury says Simmons went under before he could be rescued. His body was found a little more than an hour later in six to eight feet of water.

Orangeburg County Administrator Bill Clark said Sunday that Simmons was an "extraordinary individual," who had worked as an animal control officer for a little over a year.

"He worked with us when that department was going through quite a bit of turnover. He took responsibility to work whatever hours necessary to keep that department functioning," he said. "The county owes a great deal of gratitude to Anthony. It's a tragedy. He was very well respected by all of his coworkers."

Earl Whalen, deputy administrator for the public services division, also had high praise for Simmons.

"It's an unbelievable tragedy. He was just a fine fellow, as good as you could imagine anyone being," Whalen said. "Tony Robinson works for Orangeburg County's building and grounds. He and Anthony were just good buddies. They went out on a fishing trip and it ended in tragedy."

Whalen has his own special memories of Simmons, who, he said, never complained, despite some long hours in the understaffed animal control department. And, despite the stressful job, Whalen said, the public never had a problem with him.

"When you'd walk up to Anthony and say how's it going, every time, he'd always say 'it's all good because is God is good.' That's the greatest comfort to have today is knowing he's right with the Lord," said Whalen. "His personal relationship with God everyone knew about," He was positive and upbeat...He was just a fine fellow. Unbelievable."

-- From T&D and Wire Reports

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