Search Crews Find Missing Elderly Brown Co. Man Over 2 Miles from Home
By: Josh Berry
Updated: March 26, 2012
An elderly Brown County man with Alzheimer's who was missing overnight was returned safely home Monday afternoon.
Brown County officials issued a Silver Alert when Homer West, the 86 year old father of Brown County Judge Ray west went missing.
He was found around noon Monday (3/26) about 2 and a half miles away from his home. West was scratched up quite a bit, but reportedly in okay condition.
It was the time searching for him that had crews and family scared for his life.
"We're just happy he's alive," said West's Granddaughter Lori Russel. "You pray for the best but sometimes you fear the worst."
Because it was a stressful evening and morning looking for him... Not knowing if he was okay.
It was imperative to find the man in a timely fashion.
"A person could easily be underneath the brush and you wouldn't see him and walk right over him," Brown County Sergeant, Lana Guthrie. "We didn't want that cause we knew he'd been gone for about 12 hours."
West has wondered off before but never to this extent and this time got too far and became extremely confused.
Sgt. Guthrie went on to say, "How he got over there we don't know. He can't tell you how he got over there."
He was found near a private cemetery, where family members of his are buried.
"That was probably something that came natural for him to go to," said his granddaughter, Russel.
His son, Brown County Judge Ray West called the Sheriff directly when they found out his father went missing.
Almost a day later, civilian volunteer searchers found him.
"A lot of volunteers come out of the woodworks, just because they knew who it was and they wanted to help," said Brown County Chief Deputy, Bobby Duvall.
A DPS aircraft was called in Sunday night to assist and another was called in Monday morning when searches resumed.
The search had 2 different K9 units on the ground and 2 horse units from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
There was plenty of support that helped end a successful but stressful search.
There were multiple volunteer efforts including 3 volunteer fire departments and even a private company that sent employees out just to help.
Homer West was initially taken back home by family members but shortly thereafter taken to his doctor for dehydration.
Brown County officials issued a Silver Alert when Homer West, the 86 year old father of Brown County Judge Ray west went missing.
He was found around noon Monday (3/26) about 2 and a half miles away from his home. West was scratched up quite a bit, but reportedly in okay condition.
It was the time searching for him that had crews and family scared for his life.
"We're just happy he's alive," said West's Granddaughter Lori Russel. "You pray for the best but sometimes you fear the worst."
Because it was a stressful evening and morning looking for him... Not knowing if he was okay.
It was imperative to find the man in a timely fashion.
"A person could easily be underneath the brush and you wouldn't see him and walk right over him," Brown County Sergeant, Lana Guthrie. "We didn't want that cause we knew he'd been gone for about 12 hours."
West has wondered off before but never to this extent and this time got too far and became extremely confused.
Sgt. Guthrie went on to say, "How he got over there we don't know. He can't tell you how he got over there."
He was found near a private cemetery, where family members of his are buried.
"That was probably something that came natural for him to go to," said his granddaughter, Russel.
His son, Brown County Judge Ray West called the Sheriff directly when they found out his father went missing.
Almost a day later, civilian volunteer searchers found him.
"A lot of volunteers come out of the woodworks, just because they knew who it was and they wanted to help," said Brown County Chief Deputy, Bobby Duvall.
A DPS aircraft was called in Sunday night to assist and another was called in Monday morning when searches resumed.
The search had 2 different K9 units on the ground and 2 horse units from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
There was plenty of support that helped end a successful but stressful search.
There were multiple volunteer efforts including 3 volunteer fire departments and even a private company that sent employees out just to help.
Homer West was initially taken back home by family members but shortly thereafter taken to his doctor for dehydration.
