Investigation continues into HSB employee death

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The City of Horseshoe Bay has made no official comment on events that may have led the death of Supervisor for Water Plant Operations Steve Hawley, as an investigation into his passing after scuba diving at work on May 26 continues.

Hawley died May 31 at St. David's Hospital in Austin. He had been transferred there from the Baylor Scott & White Level I Trauma Center in Lakeway.

“Steve will be sorely missed,” said Horseshoe Bay City Manager Stan Farmer. “He was more than a colleague; he was part of our family here. He had worked for the city for five years.”

Horseshoe Bay Police Chief Rocky Wardlow, echoed Farmer's sentiment.

“It is a big loss,” said Wardlow. “I considered him a friend myself and this is a big loss.”

Now, two weeks since the diving event, Wardlow said he was conducting the investigation into it personally.

“He was one of two divers doing a visual inspection of the water intake,” said the chief, who was not in the city at the time. “The call (for aid) came in between 1-2 p.m. and he was taken to Lakeway by Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Services.”

In addition to another diver, the inspection group on Lake LBJ that day included five other employees in two boats. Both divers were licensed, experienced divers and Hawley's companion was a dive instructor with advanced certifications, according to the city.

Wardlow said, since Hawley had expired in the hospital in Travis County, no autopsy was required. For now, he has no statement regarding health problems or accident that might have led to the death.

“We are scrambling to find out what happened,” he said. “We are looking at absolutely everything (in the investigation)... from equipment down to air quality,” he said.

City employees were stunned at the loss of their co-worker in the Community Services Department and three counselors were retained for staff grief counseling.

Farmer said that the decision to hold no memorial service was one Hawley had expressed previously and one that was being respected by his family and the city. However, co-workers and colleges alike remember him privately for his kindness and professionalism.

"Steve Hawley was a special person and with his passing it has demonstrated the family atmosphere of city staff and the entire community," said Mayor Steve Jordan.

“He would give you the last shirt off his back if you needed it,” said one who knew him.

“Steve was a well-respected operator in Texas Water Utilities Association; he will be missed,” said Peggy Allen Smith, assistant city manager in Granite Shoals and, as utilities director, was part of the close-knit TWUA members that meet regularly and support one another in solving problems and staying abreast of regulations.

Hawley is survived by his widow and mother, two step-children and two sisters of the Austin and Dripping Springs area.

“We have been in great contact with the family,” Farmer said. “Condolences sent to the City of Horseshoe Bay, P.O. Box 7765, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657, will be shared with them.”