Happy Ending: Missing Veteran Found Safe

March 25, 2016


Two Santa Rosa County deputies had the opportunity to go above and beyond the call of duty Wednesday night when they located a missing elderly man from Atmore.

George Haley, an 83 year old dementia patient, left his home on Freemanville Drive north of Atmore about 5:00 Wednesday morning in a 2002 pickup truck.  An Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Senior Alert was issued when friends and family were unable to find him.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Middleton and Sgt. Todd Reaves conducted a traffic stop on Haley’s pickup near the Pace Assembly of God Church Wednesday night. He had been reported as a possible drunk driver.

“My husband found him and called police actually thinking he was a drunk driver,” Gina Riela posted on the NorthEscambia.com Facebook page.

Once the deputies realized they had located the missing senior, they contacted and waited for his family to arrive from Atmore to pick him up.  They began to talk and discovered that Haley is a veteran with plenty of stories to tell.

“We exchanged stories about life,” Middleton said. The deputies bought Haley a burger and fries since he had not eaten all day.

“Mr. Haley, it was a pleasure meeting you sir, thank you for you’re service in the military and God Bless you,” Middleton said.

Haley is safely back home with his family.

Pictured: Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Sgt. Todd Reaves, George Haley of Atmore ,and Deputy Brian Middleton. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

17 Responses to “Happy Ending: Missing Veteran Found Safe”

  1. Candy Knight on March 28th, 2016 10:37 am

    I have the pleasure of knowing Vinny Riela and even though he doesn’t see himself as a hero in this story—the rest of us do. Had he not called this in, so many things could have been so much worse! What if Mr. Haley had caused an accident and seriously hurt or even killed himself or god forbid someone else? Or he could have just kept driving aimlessly and ended up in the company of some not so nice people who could have hurt or killed him, for money or his truck. Who knows-there is so much evil in this world nowadays.
    I am very happy that this ended up the way it did.
    And thank you to the officers as well. Everybodys involvement made a happy ending for Mr. Haley and his family. This is a perfect example of the good that comes out of people staying involved in their communities and looking out for each other! Thank you to everyone involved !!!

  2. Children of Mr. George Haley on March 27th, 2016 5:22 pm

    A heartfelt Thank you to Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Middleton and Sgt. Todd Reaves. We extend many thanks to you and your department for all you did to find our father and getting him back home to us safe. We really appreciate you guys for taking time to see after him and all of the contacts made to us during this very emotional time. Our dad is doing well and glad to be back home. We Thank God for you and how God used you to bless our family. Keep doing what you do and we will keep you in our prayers. It is a blessing to know that there are officers out there that do their jobs. My brother and I are glad to have had you all to be the one’s that helped our family find our love one. Many blessing to you all!
    Sincere Thanks,
    Audrey and Jamaine

  3. veronica nowling on March 26th, 2016 3:07 pm

    These guys are awesome men!!! Great Job!

  4. Linda on March 26th, 2016 8:30 am

    My friend Taylor used to be engaged to Brian and she said he is a great guy.

  5. Jcellops on March 26th, 2016 7:19 am

    Thank you Mr Riela, for being alert and responsible! Lord only knows how many lives were spared- perfect officer response, as well! Prevention is the key to avoiding this kind of scare in the future. We has to hide my fathers car keys when he deteriorated mentally.

  6. Destaney knight on March 25th, 2016 4:19 pm

    Thanks Vinny Riela, for calling and making it possible for this man to be found

  7. ME on March 25th, 2016 10:51 am

    I went to school with Brian Middleton and he is about as good of guy as you will ever meet. Glad they found him safely.

  8. Willis on March 25th, 2016 9:09 am

    Good people doing good things. So glad Mr. Haley is okay and back home.

  9. just me on March 25th, 2016 9:01 am

    Great Job Officers God Bless You!

  10. dman on March 25th, 2016 9:00 am

    What a good ending. Nice work, SRCSO Officers.

  11. Veteran law enforcement offiicer on March 25th, 2016 8:19 am

    As a veteran law enforcement officer I am reminded why we are out there.
    To be able to help some one in need is the best part of doing the job.

  12. Blessed on March 25th, 2016 7:44 am

    I thank God for a happy ending! Thanks to the Riela family for watching out for everyone’s safety! And thanks to the Officers for going beyond the call of duty! May God bless and everyone of you beyond measures!

  13. Just saying on March 25th, 2016 7:28 am

    Good job LEOS. Glad it was a happy ending.

  14. Molino Mom on March 25th, 2016 7:22 am

    This is great news, God Bless these officers! When I heard about Mr Haley, I said a prayer for him to be found safely. So happy to hear this news.
    Hopefully his family can somehow find a way to keep him from driving in the future.

  15. Juanita on March 25th, 2016 7:17 am

    I am so glad that you are alright. Thank God for keeping you!

  16. tg on March 25th, 2016 7:05 am

    Dont you just love a happy ending. To bad they dont all end this way.

  17. Me on March 25th, 2016 6:42 am

    Wow! Great job to all….ESPECIALLY Mr. Riela! Great story! Thank you, officers, for taking care of him!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News