News

Searchers need help looking for lost elderly man

By DOMINIC ADAMS, Argus-Press Staff Writer

Friday, July 18, 2008 3:30 PM EDT

Argus-Press Photo by Anthony Cepak A search and rescue team comb through a field looking for John A. Tierney across from the Baker College of Owosso Welcome Center on M-52 Thursday afternoon. Tierney, 78, left his home on foot late Sunday and has not been found. He was not wearing shoes and may have a pet dog “Buddy” with him.

OWOSSO - The Michigan State Police and the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team need volunteers in its search of a missing elderly man.

Rescue team leader Ron Adkins said the geography has changed searchers' mission to find John A. Tierney, 78.

A woman reported seeing Tierney in front of a home near Walnut and Grace streets Monday. Authorities learned of the sighting Thursday.

Search crews were looking within three quarters of a mile near Tierney's home on Woodland Drive in Corunna.

Tierney - who suffers from severe Alzheimer's disease - left his home about 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

“We're now on an urban search,” Adkins said. “It's just more detailed. It takes longer.”

Adkins said 22 dogs helped track Tierney since Tuesday. Dogs picked up Tierney's scent near his house and lost it at Copas Road. Adkins believes someone picked Tierney up and took him over near M-52.

“The dogs are burned out,” Adkins said. “The rain (Wednesday) would've washing a lot of the scent out of there anyway. He went to shelter (that) night with the rain. He had to.”

Handlers worked dogs until about 2 a.m. this morning, Adkins said.

John Tierney II said he is offering a $2,000 reward for anyone who finds his father.

There is a new command post at Collamer Park. Anyone physically fit, capable of walking in the heat and willing to help in the search should visit the command post.

John A.Tierney, who may answer to the nickname “Red,” was wearing red and white-stripped pajama pants and a black NASCAR coat. He wasn't wearing shoes. If he took his coat off, Tierney would have a matching red and white-stripped pajama shirt.

He also may have the family dog - a German shepherd mix that answers to the name “Buddy” - with him on a leash.

Anyone with information should call Shiawassee County Central Dispatch at 743-9112.

- Contact Dominic Adams at 725-5136 extension 239 or by e-mail at dadamsarguspress@gmail.com.

Comment on this Story

twoleftys wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:49 PM:

" If the family has a recent photo of "Red" to publish, that would be very helpful in finding him. We certainly hope that he is found safe. May God be watching over him where ever he may be & our pryers are with him and his family. "