Search K9 Praised For Finding Missing Elderly Male
On April 29, 2022 at approximately 4:55 PM, Porter Police Officers Marty Gonzalez and Sergeant Tom Blythe responded to the 1300 block of Old Porter Road in reference to a missing 85 year old male, according to Porter Police. A family member reported that he left the residence on foot nearly two and a half hours earlier to go mushroom hunting along the railroad tracks behind the residence, but he had not returned.
While responding to the scene, Porter Police requested assistance from Porter Fire Department Chief Jay Craig and his Search and Rescue K9, Jakob. After determining where the missing male was last seen, Chief Craig and K9 Jakob initiated a track. Jakob led responders into a heavily wooded area approximately 30 yards south of the train tracks at which time a male voice could be heard calling for help. With the assistance of Jakob, responders located the male lying in a creek. The injured patient was transported by Northwest Health EMS in stable but critical condition, police said.
The Porter Police Department commended the swift response provided by Chief Craig and K9 Jakob for their life-saving efforts which averted a potential tragedy. Porter Police would also like to recognize and thank their partner agencies for their resources, personnel, and efforts.
Assisting agencies included the Town of Porter Fire Department, the Burns Harbor Police Department, Northwest Health EMS, Porter County Search and Rescue, Porter County Central Dispatch, and the Porter Police Dispatch Center.
