Joseph Edward Berkl liked to spend time around the Potomac River. He enjoyed fishing and drinking with "the guys." Now, the river that he loved, has claimed him.
Berkl's body was found near the shore north of Waynewood Boulevard last Sunday at around noon. A couple walking their dog near the shoreline noticed the body floating in the river and contacted the U.S. Park Police.
Officer Dan Hoehne was the first person to respond. He and other officers determined that since the body was in the high water mark, they needed to call the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
As a lead investigator, Corporal Dennis Leland was assigned to the case. During his 30 years of service with the Department of Natural Resources, he said that he's pulled more than 125 bodies out of Maryland waterways. The autopsy shows the cause of death to be from drowning and doesn't indicate any foul play. Officials said alcohol may have played a part in the drowning.
IT DIDN'T TAKE long to determine who the victim was. Shortly after the body was found one of the local fishermen, Buck Dotson, contacted Hoehne and said that Berkl had been missing since last week.
"What's amazing is that nobody reported him missing," said Leland.
"I'm glad that I was able to help them out with the investigation," said Hoehne. "I think being as this was an unusual case with different jurisdictions, it was good that we were able to help identify the body."
Berkl was 36 years old. His nearest relative is his sister, Janet Truong, who lives in Woodbridge; his parents are deceased.
The last time Berkl was seen was the night of July 8. Douglas Pethtal also fishes on the river, and had recently befriended Berkl. Douglas' mother, Martha Pethtal, said that Berkl would occasionally come by and take a shower and have something to eat. That Tuesday night, Douglas had invited him over for pizza; he never came.
"He was a very nice man," said Martha Pethtal, who said that he had brought her two small presents after he got money from an out-of-town job to show his appreciation for their kindness.
"He was so pleased to give it to me, it brings tears to my eyes," she said.
Tom Harvey from Hollin Hall Shell said that he would see Berkl around his station.
"I was very sorry to hear it. I didn't know him well, but he was a polite and harmless sort of fellow. He never presented any problem, and would joke around with the guys here. He would come by and get $.35 worth of gasoline and buy a cup of coffee from 7-Eleven."
Date and time for services have not yet been determined. Anybody with information about this incident should contact Cpl. Dennis Leland at 301-645-0062.