(Estherville)--An Estherville man with dementia was found unharmed after walking away from his residence Saturday morning.
At approximately 8:40 am, the Estherville Police Department received a call that an elderly male with dementia had left his residence on foot and could not be located. Responding officers met with family members at 532 West North 9th Street to obtain a description and gather information. The missing person was identified as Gary Burkholder, age 67 of Estherville. It was reported that Burkholder was wearing green pajamas, had been outside with family members and left the property in an unknown direction.
Officers conducted an initial drive through the neighborhood and also began to check neighboring residence cameras to ascertain which direction Burkholder may have gone.
Officers set up a command post at the intersection of Highway 9 and West North 9th Street. Emmet County Emergency Management, the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Estherville Fire and Estherville Ambulance responded to the scene.
A search of neighboring fields and wooded areas was conducted by officers and firefighters. Officers employed two drones that were also conducting aerial searches of the neighborhoods. Due to the unknown direction of travel, a large search of area residences was conducted. Officers and firefighters walked through yards and properties checking buildings and vehicles.
At approximately 12:20 pm, a search team of firefighters that were beginning the search of a ravine near West North 6th Street and West 6th Avenue North, observed what they believed was the top of someone’s head. They went to the location and found Burkholder. He had fallen into a large washout. Burkholder was uninjured but tired. He was examined by the Estherville Ambulance and returned to family members.
Estherville Police would like to thank all the responding agencies and the public for their help in this case. Many members of the public checked their camera systems and contacted police during the event. This information was very helpful in the search effort. Police also appreciate the understanding of neighbors where search teams entered and cleared their properties.
