Kennewick Police, Oregon State Patrol, Find Missing 80-Year-Old Man Just in Time for Thanksgiving!

A happy story about teamwork and effort!

Oregon State Troopers and Kennewick police have found an 80-year-old man who suffers from dementia related to Atzheimer's disease, who had wandered away from his home.

The man was found by an Oregon State Trooper on Highway 197 about 8 miles from Maupin, OR., which happens to be about 20 miles South of the Dalles, and a LONG way from the Tri-Cities.

Tuesday, the search began when the man's family reported him missing.  From the Oregon State Patrol Report:

On November 26, 2013 at approximately 8:40 p.m., OSP Northern Command Center dispatch was notified by Kennewick Police Department that they were looking for the reported missing elderly man who was believed to be driving a silver 2006 Jeep Liberty with Washington license plates. Through a ping to the man's cell phone, Kennewick police said the man is believed to be south of the Columbia River in Sherman County.

OSP troopers from Madras and The Dalles checked Highway 97 between Biggs Junction and Madras but didn't locate the vehicle or missing man. At approximately 11:00 p.m., OSP Trooper Matthew Newby was checking along Highway 197 when he found the missing man and vehicle stopped near milepost 53.

Kennewick PD notified family members who drove to The Dalles where Trooper Newby transported the man to be reunited with family.

The man's identity wasn't released, but thanks to some innovate thinking about using the cellphone to locate him, and hard work,  he will be home with his family, safe and sound!   A great story heading into the Thanksgiving Holiday!