Oakland County Sheriff Reports Two Drowning Deaths On Saturday
(OCSO, July 6, 2025)
Oakland County, MI – Two Oakland County men drown Saturday in separate incidents during the July 4 th holiday weekend.
Divers from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team recovered the body of a missing Springfield Township man from a pond early today – less than 12 hours after sheriff’s divers and strike teams from the Southeast Michigan Dive Group recovered the body of a man from White Lake late Saturday night.
“This has been an extremely busy and tragic weekend for our search and rescue team and our partners,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “Sadly, all the information we had put out in advance of this weekend about ways to stay safe could’ve prevented these tragedies. I am proud of the skilled efforts that recovered these victims, giving the families closure.”
The Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call just before 4 a.m. today, which reported that an 86-year- old Springfield Township man with dementia was missing. The missing man, identified as Gerald Vernus Burge, was last seen at 5 p.m. on Saturday. His girlfriend noticed the Burge’s swim trunks were missing from his house. A deputy and a K9 went to the residence in the 8400 block of Rattalee Lake Road began a search of the property. A pond on the property was also searched, and the victim was discovered in the water.
Divers located the Burge’s body in approximately seven feet of water. He was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is set for Monday.
In Highland Township, Oakland County divers and Dive Group Strike Teams from Wayne, Lapeer, Genesee, Livingston and Saginaw counties as well as Shelby Township were deployed to White Lake to join in the search for a man reported missing shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday.
The 911 caller reported that 49-year-old Jason Dwane Brookshire was on a boat and entered White Lake near the 3400 block of Jackson Boulevard. He never resurfaced. It was not immediately known why or how Brookshire entered the water. He was not wearing a life jacket. Dive Group Strike Teams from Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Saginaw and Wayne counties as well as the Shelby Township Fire Department were deployed to join Oakland County divers in the search. The Sheriff’s Office helicopter was also used in the search.
Divers recovered Brookshire’s body late Saturday night in seven feet of water from heavy vegetation. He was about 100 feet from shore. His body was taken to shore when he was pronounced dead. Alcohol was believed to be a factor in the incident, which remains under investigation. An autopsy was scheduled.
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