PCSO’s Search & Rescue finds 89-year-old missing in the desert

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

A shoe print believed to be that of missing SaddleBrooke man Ralph Dawson.

A deputy points to a shoe print believed to be that of missing SaddleBrooke man Ralph Dawson.

An 89-year-old SaddleBrooke man is back home again after going missing.

Ralph Dawson left his SaddleBrooke home around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, with his walking cane. When Dawson did not return home, family members called PCSO for help. PCSO’s Search and Rescue (SAR) team was dispatched to assist in the search. Deputies found a shoe print they believe to belong to Mr. Dawson about a mile from his house. They tracked him until they were confident that they narrowed down the search area and called in the DPS Ranger to assist.

The DPS Ranger located Mr. Dawson about 300 yards away from the PCSO team. Dawson was found around 11:00 p.m., roughly a mile and a half away from his home in a desert area.

“PSCO has some of the best Search and Rescue trackers in the state. Without their skills of noticing a shoe print and marks left by Mr. Dawson’s cane, this could have been a much different ending. We are lucky to have them,” said Sheriff Mark lamb, Pinal County.

PCSO called in Golden Ranch Fire Rescue to assist in carrying the 89-year-old out of the desert area. Dawson is recovering at a local hospital and we wish him a speedy recovery. We would like to thank our SAR team, our SAR Posse Volunteers, Golden Ranch Fire Rescue and DPS for their assistance in this search.

Staff (5801 Posts)

There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.


Facebooktwitterby feather
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

Comments are closed.

  • Additional Stories

    Kearny visitors deliver a special message

    May 6th, 2024
    by

      Wednesday, April 10, started out as a typical spring day in southern Arizona, when two cross country cyclists were […]


    Young writer wins county award

    April 29th, 2024
    by

      The Ray Elementary School would like to recognize Kindergarten student, Riley Morrison. Riley competed in the Pinal County Juvenile Court […]


    Crash temporarily closes Mammoth Circle K

    April 26th, 2024
    by

      On Monday, April 22, a Toyota Camry was driven into the front of Circle K in Mammoth.   According […]


    Heat Proofing Your Garden

    April 24th, 2024
    by

      By Bob Allen SE Pinal County Master Gardener     When Deborah North returned to Arizona from the very […]


  • Additional Stories

    CASA of Gila County welcomes three new Court Appointed Special Advocates for Gila County Children; The need for volunteers continues to rise

    April 24th, 2024
    by

      In April 2024, CASA of Gila County welcomed three new Court Appointed Special Advocates dedicated to serving the Gila […]


    Growing food in rough terrain – Agro-forest at Arboretum

    April 24th, 2024
    by

        The history of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum and mission developed by its founder Col. Boyce Thompson was to […]


    New mural at Superior Food Bank

    April 24th, 2024
    by

        Americorps Team Earth Team 6 completed its mission in Superior working on fire breaks and trails in Superior.  […]


    Hayden-Winkelman Little League opens 2024 season

    April 23rd, 2024
    by

        Hayden-Winkelman Little League opened its 55th season of Little League baseball and softball on Thursday, April 18. The […]


  • Copperarea

  • Southeast Valley Ledger