The body of a missing State Trooper was found Thursday afternoon near Big Lake.

Water Patrol Officer Fred Guthrie Jr’s body was found Thursday afternoon in the same general area he disappeared in August.

The Missouri Highway Patrol says the body of Trooper Guthrie was found Thursday in a brush pile near the spot where the remains of his canine partner, Reed, were found the day after the two disappeared.

Crews filling a hole on a state highway made the discovery.

Guthrie, a 17-year patrol veteran, and his dog were patrolling near the village of Big Lake on Aug. 1 when they apparently were swept away by fast-moving water. Searchers unsuccessfully combed farm fields searching for his remains. Guthrie was declared dead in September.

“The recovery of Trooper Guthrie’s body will give closure and comfort to the family, community, and members of the Patrol,” said Colonel Ronald K. Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  

In a news release, Colonel Replogle offered his thanks to everyone who helped or volunteered during the search efforts.

Governor Jay Nixon said in a statement that Guthrie made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the people of Missouri.

“The law enforcement officers of Missouri put their lives on the line each day to protect us, and we saw that on countless occasions in the past year during times of natural disaster,”  Nixon said.

“Tpr. Fred Guthrie made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the people of Missouri, protecting them during the historic flooding that ravaged the northwest part of our state. We honor the memory of this courageous law enforcement officer, and our prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues as they mourn his loss. My thanks to the Highway Patrol and the other law enforcement agencies that were involved for all their efforts since August 1 to recover their fallen brother.”