On April 10, 2018, the St. Mary’s
County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a critically missing person
who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Deputies from
the Patrol Division arrived on scene, gathered information, and immediately
initiated a search for Thomas Franklin Clarke.
The Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division responded with
personnel on all-terrain vehicles, (ATVs), and the Criminal Investigations
Division assisted with the use of drones to broaden the search area. Numerous
other agencies responded and participated in the search to include Maryland
State Police Trooper 7, Southern Maryland Search and Rescue who provided personnel
and K-9’s, Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department, Bay District
Volunteer Fire Department CO3, Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, and the
Naval District Fire Department from Webster Field. Clarke was ultimately discovered in a wooded
area, several hours later, not visible from the roadway, submerged in a marsh
up to his chest, by Sheriff’s Office personnel on ATV’s. Sergeant Harold Young and
Corporal Brian Connelly immediately entered the marsh to rescue Clarke however
the conditions of the marsh made extracting him difficult. With assistance from the fire department,
Sgt. Young and Cpl. Connelly were able to place Clarke into a Stokes
Basket/Stretcher and extract him from the marsh. Clarke was alert but unable to
communicate basic information; he was subsequently transported to a medical
facility for evaluation. The Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank all the agencies
involved in this search/rescue that enabled us to have a successful conclusion
instead of a tragedy.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s
Office participates in a program called Project Lifesaver. Project Lifesaver is
a radio transmission system designed to assist law enforcement in locating lost
or missing persons who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, autism, or other condition
that may impair communication with others. The Sheriff’s Office has several
officers trained in the use and application of the radio transmission
equipment. Citizens enrolled in Project Lifesaver wear a small watch size transmitter
on their wrist or ankle that emits a tracking signal. If a member of the program goes missing this
transmitter will provide law enforcement the location of the missing person;
recovery time is typically under thirty minutes. When a family member or loved one is missing,
time is of the essence.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages
anyone who has a friend or family member diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, autism, or
any condition where the person is unable to communicate, or provide basic
information on address or identity to
please contact Corporal William Rishel at (301) 475-4200 extension *8097, or by
email at William.Rishel@stmarysmd.com
for further information on Project Lifesaver.
Cpl. Connelly (L) Sgt. Young (R)
Picture Taken After Rescue of Mr. Clarke
Location of the Rescue
