Drone Helps Locate Missing Elderly Man With Dementia in City of Cortland

The City of Cortland Police Department says with the assistance of their drone unit, a 73-year old missing man who has dementia was safely located. On October 11th, just after 5:30pm, Cortland Police responded to Randall Park for a missing person. CPD says the 73-year old man missing was watching a soccer game at the park and went to a nearby restroom and did not return. Cortland Police added the man was also not from the area.

Police on scene worked to gather critical information and began to search the park and surrounding streets and businesses. Police also began a ping of the man’s cell phone, and brought in Cortland Police’s Drone Unit for assistance.

CPD’s drone unit used a thermal imaging camera installed on the drone to search the nearby wooded area, railroad tracks, and other locations that were not easily accessible. After only 6 minutes in the air, the drone found a heat signature resembling a person behind a fenced area of a nearby business. Cortland Police say the drone confirmed the heat signature found was of the missing man.

Officers were able to safely locate the elderly man, who was evaluated by officers to ensure he was okay, and then was reunited with his family.