Pastor Rescued From Capsized Boat Only To Drown Retrieving Boat

SEMINOLE, FL — A man who was rescued from a capsized boat on Lake Seminole Friday afternoon and died while trying to recover the boat several hours later has been identified as the Rev. Shawn Thomas, senior pastor of Galilee Missionary Church in St. Petersburg.

Pinellas County sheriff's deputies recovered the body of Thomas, 39, of 100th Avenue North in St. Petersburg, Friday night.

At 2:17 p.m. Friday, deputies responded to Lake Seminole at 10015 Park Blvd. after receiving a report that a disabled boat with two passengers was taking on water.

Seminole Fire Rescue was able to safely bring Thomas and 37-year-old Alexandra Dumervil to shore.

At 5:42 p.m., deputies were called again to Lake Seminole after witnesses reported a man going underwater after falling off a boat. Marine, helicopter and dive units conducted a search of the lake and, at 9:47 p.m., found Thomas' body about 10 yards from where he was last seen.

Detectives say, after Thomas was initially rescued that afternoon, he called a friend, 74-year-old Joe Wright, to assist him in recovering his boat from the water. Wright and Thomas were tying the two boats together to tow the disabled boat to shore when it capsized and Thomas fell into the water.

Wright attempted to rescue Thomas, but was unable to bring him onboard his boat. Thomas went underwater and didn't resurface. Thomas was not wearing a life vest.

Family and friends said the popular pastor felt an urge to help his community from a young age.

“We knew then that Shawn was something special," said St. Petersburg City Councilwoman Deborah Figgs-Sanders, who said she watched Thomas grow up. "He knew then that he had a message, that he was going to live this life where he took so many people and touched so many people.”

The husband, father of four daughters and a son was installed as the senior pastor at his childhood church in November.

Pinellas County Commissioner Renee Flowers said he will be missed by all who knew him, especially the children he inspired.

“I believe for him and the void that will be missing will be that void that connection between African American youth and the church because he allowed the word to tie together so that individuals can see how it fits into their life right now,” she said.

Information on funeral services will be released by the family shortly.