Project Lifesaver pays off for missing Coloma man

Tribune Staff Report

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By Tiffany Griffin

Story Created: Mar 19, 2008 at 10:39 AM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 19, 2008 at 10:46 AM EDT

COLOMA — A radio-transmission program known as Project Lifesaver is being credited with locating an elderly Coloma resident who wandered from his home.

Berrien County Sheriff’s deputies said the 79-year-old man was located Tuesday about 1.5 miles from his residence and was cold but otherwise unharmed.

Police said the man, afflicted with Alzheimer’s, was initially reported missing in December when he disappeared after taking his dog outside. After an officer located him and the dog in bitterly-cold weather conditions, the man’s son and daughter-in-law had him enrolled in the Project Lifesaver program that uses radio signals to locate people with Alzheimer’s or Alzheimer’s-like disabilities.

Police said they activated the Project Lifesaver receiver unit when the man was reported missing again Tuesday and a radio signal immediately was picked up. Police found him standing next to a construction trailer parked in a driveway more than a mile away.

Police said the search might have had a different result without the program, as the man’s previous wandering habits would have led them in a different direction.

Anyone wanting more information on the program or interested in making a donation can contact Deputy Karen Klug at (269) 983-7141, Ext. 7221.

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