Missing man out of Lake Pueblo identified as Fort Carson soldier

A missing man last seen in water at Lake Pueblo has been identified as a Fort Carson soldier Monday. Colorado Parks and Wildlife originally said a man in his 30s was last seen in the water near Cottonwood Cove on the south side, at the west end of the lake Saturday night. Lake Pueblo State Park Rangers were on the scene by 7:30 p.m. Saturday.The man was reportedly cliff-jumping off an 80-foot cliff where witnesses saw him from a boat. The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office dive team was on scene searching in 30 feet of water for hours Saturday night. This was before search and rescue operations were suspended due to nightfall.They resumed again early Sunday morning near the cliff where the man was last seen, CPW rangers searched for several hours using sonar. The soldier’s body was found just after 9 a.m. Sunday in 30 feet of water.He was later identified as Staff Sergeant Matthew R. Riggs of Orlando. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 2012 and was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson on July 15, 2015. According to a release, his awards and decorations included Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal (2), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), NATO Medal (2), Combat Infantry Badge, Air Assault Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge.We thank him for his service, may he rest in peace.