Missing Elderly Man Found After Search in Tennessee

Authorities worked together to locate the 82-year-old with dementia who went missing overnight.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Area law enforcement and rescue personnel were deployed last Monday morning after receiving a report of a missing elderly man with dementia in the Cookeville Highway area of DeKalb County, Tennessee. The man was located safe about 200 yards down a steep hillside after an extensive search and rope rescue operation.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of community collaboration and rapid emergency response when dealing with vulnerable missing persons cases, especially those involving the elderly or those with cognitive impairments like dementia.

The details

According to authorities, the 82-year-old male subject was last seen around 2:45 a.m. on Monday, February 9th. DeKalb County deputies, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, the Smithville/DeKalb County Rescue Squad, and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office Air Support (helicopter) were all deployed to search for the missing man. A bloodhound from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office tracked the man's scent several hundred yards from the home to a location where his cap was found. The elderly man was eventually located safe but suffering minor injuries down a steep hillside, requiring an extensive rope rescue operation to bring him back to the top.

  • On Monday, February 9th at 8:01 a.m., Central Dispatch received the call about the missing 82-year-old man.
  • At 8:21 a.m., DeKalb County deputies arrived on the scene at 780 Lafever Ridge Road.
  • Around 9:35 a.m., the elderly man was located safe about 200 yards down a steep hillside.

The players

Brian Williams

Chief Deputy of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department.

K9 Iris

A bloodhound deployed by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office that tracked the man's scent.

DeKalb County Rescue Squad

Assisted in the rope rescue operation to bring the man back to the top of the hillside.

Putnam County Rescue Squad

Assisted in the rope rescue operation to bring the man back to the top of the hillside.

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What they’re saying

“Through continued collaboration and strong interagency partnerships, this search resulted in a successful outcome.”

— DeKalb County Sheriff's Department (herald-citizen.com)

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the critical role that coordinated emergency response and community partnerships can play in locating and safely recovering vulnerable missing persons, especially those with cognitive impairments. The successful outcome highlights the importance of training, resources, and strong interagency cooperation in these types of time-sensitive search and rescue operations.