Retired Ventura County Sheriff's Capt. Bob Fleming dies in accident in Bahamas

A retired Ventura County Sheriff's captain died earlier this month while visiting the Bahamas, and friends and family are raising funds to help his loved ones.

Bob Fleming, a former Moorpark resident, drowned over Labor Day weekend in the Bahamas, according to the fundraising site GoFundMe and news reports from the island.

More than $14,000 has been raised of the goal to collect $50,000 to help Bob's wife, Michelle Fleming, move back to Moorpark and to bring his remains home if recovered. So far, he has not been found, the fundraising site says.

Bob and Michelle Fleming moved to Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, after his retirement from the sheriff's office in 2022. He worked for the agency for 32 years, the site says.

Bob Fleming was standing on the shoreline of Queen's Baths on Sept. 2 when a wave pulled him into the Atlantic Ocean, according to the Eleutheran News. Immediate efforts to recover him failed because of the rough weather and choppy sea, the newspaper for the Bahamian island says.

"It was completely shocking," said Bill Ayub, former Ventura County sheriff who handed Fleming his retirement badge last year.

"It's such an awful thing," said Ayub, who's now the Ventura city manager. "He was so full of life, just a healthy, vibrant guy."

He added Fleming was not one to take unnecessary risks. Ayub didn't have any additional details on the fundraising efforts for Fleming's family but noted there's a great sense of camaraderie in law enforcement.

"When of one of us suffers, the rest of us chip in to help," he said, adding he hoped Fleming's remains would be found and that it would bring a sense of closure.

The former sheriff said Fleming was his boss when Ayub joined the sheriff's office in 1996.

"Honestly, we didn't see eye to eye when we first met," he said. "Bob had a dry sense of humor. I didn't understand that when we first met. I confronted him about that."

Ayub said once they spoke they were "fast friends." While they often worked on the opposite ends of the county, they always maintained a great relationship.

"Bob was known for assembling friendly poker tournaments in his garage or backyard," Ayub said. "We recently played in a tournament Bob had hosted and organized."

Ayub described him as a "great family man and a terrific example of a professional peace officer."

"All the people who got to know Bob enjoyed his wit, his friendship, his loyalty as a friend," he said.

In addition to his wife, Fleming is survived by their daughter, Madison, and their son, Ryan, according to the GoFundMe page. Ayub said Madison has worked for the sheriff's office.

On the GoFundMe page, organizer Shari Owen Brown described Fleming as "an amazing man." She described him as a a devoted husband, father and friend.

"We were high school sweethearts and were happily married for 35-plus years," Michelle Fleming said in a statement to The Star. "He was the best husband and dad. We are so proud of him and his many years with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department."

More than a hundred people have made donations on the page, and their contributions were accompanied by words of support for the family and praise for Fleming.

"Bob Fleming, you were one of my most favorite bosses (Sgt's) of all time," wrote donor Annamarie Margott. "Your wit, kindness and compassion made you the wonderful man you were!"

A celebration of life in honor of Fleming is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 14, according to the GoFundMe page, which said further details will be coming.

Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0323.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Retired Ventura County Sheriff's Capt. Bob Fleming dies