Annual veteran life jacket giveaway to be held amid reported increase in Missouri drownings

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

For the sixth year in a row, the United States Exercise Tiger Foundation is set to give out free life jackets to veterans and their pets at Cooper’s Landing on Sunday morning.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and comes amid a rise in drownings across the state. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there has been an 80% increase in drownings from Jan. 1 through July 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025.

Statewide, MSHP reports 27 drownings so far in 2026 and 30 water-related deaths.

Troop F, which covers much of Mid Missouri, reports 11 drownings since January, with nine of those being deadly.

MSHP's marine unit will be at the USTF ceremony, which starts at noon, along with the Columbia Fire Department and Boone County Fire Protection District.

The ceremony will also honor the neighbors who reported a July 5 East Columbia house fire that was deemed a total loss. No one was hurt in the fire.

Check back for updates.