After 5-day search for missing Mahopac man found alive, rescue units get a thank you

Staff reports
·1 min read

Last Thursday evening, July 27, Carmel police were notified that a 66-year-old Mahopac man with serious medical issues had gone for a walk and not returned.

Roy Clayton required daily medication that he did not have with him. He did not have a cellphone.

Carmel police began a difficult search that drew numerous police departments, including K-9 units, volunteer firefighter departments, and various first-responder and emergency rescue teams to the densely wooded areas in Mahopac and Mahopac Falls around Clayton's home.

From left, Westchester County Police Officer Chris Hearle watches as his K-9 partner Wren greets New York State Trooper Patrick Porteus outside Carmel Town Hall Aug. 2, 2023. A ceremony was held at town hall honoring first responders who assisted in a 5-day search for an elderly missing Mahopac man who was found alive on Monday.
From left, Westchester County Police Officer Chris Hearle watches as his K-9 partner Wren greets New York State Trooper Patrick Porteus outside Carmel Town Hall Aug. 2, 2023. A ceremony was held at town hall honoring first responders who assisted in a 5-day search for an elderly missing Mahopac man who was found alive on Monday.

After days of searching, and with the help of a clip of Clayton found on home security video, investigators found Clayton, conscious, in the woods at 2:28 p.m. on Monday, July 31. He was treated by Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department EMS units and transported by medevac helicopter to Westchester Medical Center.

On Wednesday, the Carmel Police Department hosted an informal ceremony to recognize those who banded to together in search of Clayton. "Excellent job, a job well done, and I'm proud to work with all of you," Carmel Police Chief Anthony Hoffmann told the dozens in attendence.

Hoffman said he had been told that Clayton was recovering. "He's got some lingering issues from the exposure but he's going to do well."

First responders from several agencies who assisted in a 5-day search for an elderly missing Mahopac man, who was found alive on Monday, were honored during a brief ceremony at Carmel Town Hall in Mahopac Aug. 2, 2023.
First responders from several agencies who assisted in a 5-day search for an elderly missing Mahopac man, who was found alive on Monday, were honored during a brief ceremony at Carmel Town Hall in Mahopac Aug. 2, 2023.

Among those that participated in the search: Putnam County Sheriff's Department, New York State Police, Westchester County Police, Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers, Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department, Carmel Volunteer Fire Department, Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services Technical Rescue Team.

Clayton was finally located by State Police Trooper Patrick Porteus and K-9 Jet, along with Carmel Police K-9 Unit Officer Vincent DeSantola and K-9 Pietro.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Mahopac man found alive after 5-day search; first responders honored