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Leo, who died in 2019, responded to several hundred water-related accidents and emergencies and assisted in the recovery of more than 100 drowning victims.

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Plaque honors Sam Leo, founder of Erie Co. Sheriff’s Department Scuba Team

Norma Carey, president of the Skin Divers Club and former co-captain of the Sheriff Department’s scuba team, talks about a new plaque on Dobbins Landing for Sam Leo.

A.J. Rao, Erie Times-News

A new plaque was unveiled Thursday at Erie’s waterfront in recognition of a man who for more than 50 years dove into the waters of Lake Erie to save lives and to train new generations of divers to do the same.

Sam Leo, who died in 2019 at the age of 87, established the Erie County Sheriff’s Department Scuba Team in 1967 and led the all-volunteer team as captain until his passing. Leo was also co-founder of the Erie Skin Divers Club, which currently has more than 65 certified scuba divers as members.

On Thursday, members of the Sheriff Department’s Scuba Team and Skin Divers Club gathered to recognize Leo’s contributions with a new plaque placed dockside near the base of Dobbins Landing.

“We finally found a perfect home for this plaque right on Dobbins Landing, right where Sam made many, many dives and where he directed dozens of search and rescue calls,” said Norma Carey, president of the Skin Divers Club and former co-captain of the Sheriff Department’s Scuba Team. “There couldn’t be a more fitting place to have this plaque than right where it is today. We’re thrilled about this.”

During his tenure, Leo responded to several hundred water-related accidents and emergencies and assisted in the recovery of more than 100 drowning victims. He also assisted police and government agencies in the recovery of evidence including guns, safes and stolen property, according to a news release provided at the unveiling.

Carey noted that Leo was on call and made himself available 24 hours a day, year round, without compensation.

Leo was also a certified scuba diving instructor with the National Association of Underwater Instructors, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors and YMCA. Leo certified more than 1,000 scuba divers. He also certified and trained members of the Erie Bureau of Fire and worked closely with their dive team on several rescue and recovery efforts.

Retired city firefighter Mike Hersch said Leo helped develop and strengthen the fire department’s water rescue capabilities, training firefighters and ensuring their equipment was serviceable.

“His experience was essential, we could not have done it without Sam’s help,” Hirsch said. “He’s keeping the lives of the citizens of Erie safe today because of the legacy of the training that he did.”

Hirsch said he was also amazed at Leo’s dedication to training his team.

“It didn’t matter what the weather was; it didn’t matter whether it was winter time; it didn’t matter that everything was frozen solid,” Hirsch said. “Every Sunday morning, they came out and trained.”

Carey thanked the Erie Western PA Port Authority for their help in finding a location for the plaque.

“When we dive here Sunday mornings and we’re exiting, (the plaque will be) the first thing we’re going to see when we get out of the water,” Carey said. “So, Sam will long be remembered.”

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A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on X @ETNRao.Vide

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