Missing Mercersburg man died of accidental drowning, coroner says

The cause of death of a Mercersburg man whose body was found in a pond near his home after an extensive search last week was accidental drowning, according to Franklin County Coroner Jeff Conner. 

Gregory Alan Cole, 51, was found dead Thursday morning in a pond on Knob Road, Montgomery Township, according to Pennsylvania State Police. 

The discovery of his body ended a nearly four-day-long search involving a hundred people. It began Sunday afternoon after he was reported missing from the same approximate location. 

Cole's death was announced by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Corrections, where a spokesperson said he had been employed for 29 years. The department shared a statement on its Facebook page: 

"It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share with you the untimely death of Captain Gregory Cole. Please keep Captain Cole's family, friends and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers," the statement said. 

At least 24 local and state agencies from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware, as well as individual volunteers, were involved in the search for Cole, according to police. 

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At least eight dive and water rescue teams participated in the search. Police initially said he may have been operating a kayak or canoe. 

A spokesperson with the Maryland Department of Corrections said Cole was in charge of the eastern division of the special operations group, the department's tactical squad, which is based in Sykesville, Md.