Ex-state police investigator found dead in French Creek

CLAYTON — Richard H. Ladue, 62, a retired state police senior investigator, was found dead early Thursday in the water at French Creek, state police said.

An autopsy was to be conducted Thursday afternoon to determine whether drowning or a health situation caused his death. Mr. Ladue, who retired in 2007, had been under treatment for cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

He was reported missing about 11 p.m. Wednesday, and his body was recovered by the Jefferson County Special Tactics and Rescue team.

A resident of Henderson Harbor, Mr. Ladue had been working alone on his boat Wednesday evening at Islander Marina. State police are continuing the investigation.

Clayton police and firefighters assisted at the scene.

Mr. Ladue graduated from Watertown High School in 1967 and from Jefferson Community College, where he received an associate degree in business administration. After serving in the Army for two years, including a tour in Germany, he joined the state police in January 1974.

He was involved in undercover narcotics investigations for about 12 years, and was appointed an investigator with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in 1984. Four years later, he was elevated to sergeant, and in 1996 he was appointed senior investigator. In that rank, he resumed the work that had occupied much of his career, assuming a leadership role in the state police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team.

During the winter of 1998, he was given charge of the BCI unit at Watertown, and remained there until he retired.

Among his survivors are his wife, the former Jacqueline Petrie, two sons, Richard Jr. and Chad B., and a daughter, Amy.