Police chief grateful for team work; happy ending in search for missing man

John White

UPDATE: Prince Edward OPP, assisted by East Region Emergency Response Team (ERT) Canine, OPP Aviation Services located Mr. White shortly after 1p.m. Oct. 2, 2019. He is safe and in good health.

After a stressful 24 hours, Detachment Commander John Hatch was pleased to see a happy ending.

“Our OPP Emergency Response Team, K9 unit, Aviation Services, Crime Unit, PCC Dispatchers and front line officers proved once again how professional, determined, and dedicated they really are,” said Hatch. “It was a true team effort. The family was so impressed with the work that went in to locating their loved one.”

He extended gratitude to all of the officers and civilians (over 30 in total, some from Prince Edward County and the majority from other detachments – the East Region ERT members, from all across Eastern Ontario, along with the members of the OPP Aviation (helicopter unit) who had a hand in locating Mr. White safe and sound.

“It is moments like these that make me very proud to be a member of the Ontario Provincial Police.”

UPDATE 9:20 a.m. OCT 2: Search continues for John White.

OCT. 1 – Prince Edward Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 81-year-old man from Hillier, who is battling dementia.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. Oct. 1, 2019, John White was last seen walking east from Huyck’s Bay Campground on Bakker’s Road in Hillier.

He is described as white male, 170 cm, 86 kg, short grey hair, no facial hair, medium build. Last seen wearing an orange short sleeve shirt, blue jeans, dark blue ball cap with “New Brunswick” on the cap. He walks bent over and has a pace maker.

Prince Edward OPP are currently on location investigating.

OPP are asking that anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. White is asked to contact the OPP Provincial Communications Centre at 1-888-310-1122.