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Former Lake County reserve deputy dies in skydiving accident

A former volunteer reserve deputy for the Lake County sheriff's office killed in a sky diving accident in Wisconsin is being remembered for his service in law enforcement and the U.S. military.

Frederick H. Platt Jr., 44, of Racine, Wis., died Sunday after his parachute became tangled midair with the chute of another jumper, authorities said.

Racine County sheriff's spokesman Lt. Steve Sikora said Thursday that Platt's death remains under investigation.

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran issued a statement on his Facebook page saying he was saddened to learn of Platt's death.

"Fred served his country with distinction as an officer with the United States Navy and as a senior federal air marshal with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security based in Chicago," Curran said. "While serving as a reserve deputy sheriff, Fred assisted with the training of our tactical response team and was dedicated to training others. My thoughts and prayers go out to Fred's family, and his brothers and sisters within the federal government and within our department."

Racine County authorities said sheriff's deputies were dispatched at 5:36 p.m. Sunday to Skydive Midwest, 13851 56th Road in Sturtevant, on a report of a sky diving accident.

Witnesses said two men who were sky diving missed their target at Sylvania Airport and landed on 56th Road adjacent to the airport, according to police.

Authorities said Platt died at the scene. The other diver, Neil A. Kulman, 27, sustained minor injuries.

Volunteer reserve deputies in Lake County assist with traffic and crowd control, search for missing people and help in crime scene searches.

According to an obituary, Platt is survived by his wife, Stacy Hux of Racine; children, Collin, Walker, Brooklyn, and Kendalyn Platt, all of Gurnee; his father and stepmother, Frederick and Beverly Platt, Sr.; brother, John (Dana) Platt; and sister, Candace (Don) Getler, all in Connecticut.

A memorial service is scheduled today at the Journey Church, 10700 75th St., Kenosha, Wis. Visitation is scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m., followed by the service.

Online fundraisers for Platt's survivors have been launched at gofundme.com.

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