Douglas County Coroner Erik K. Mitchell confirmed Friday that 54-year-old Thomas Richard “Dick” Sheppard’s July 18 death was accidental, caused by electrocution and subsequent fall.

Sheppard was repairing guttering on the north side of the historic Turnhalle building near Ninth and New Hampshire streets when a 10-foot-long piece of aluminum flashing he was holding came into contact with an uncovered overhead power line, the autopsy report said. Sheppard was electrocuted and fell 30 feet, causing his death, Mitchell said.

Sheppard was vice president of Rain-Man Guttering, Inc. He was a lifelong Lawrence resident and graduate of Lawrence High School.