ESTHERVILLE — An elderly Estherville man with dementia who disappeared from his home Saturday morning was found safe several hours later after a large search involving police, firefighters, emergency crews and members of the public.
The Estherville Police Department said officers were called at approximately 8:40 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2026, after family members reported that 67-year-old Gary Burkholder had left his residence at 532 West North 9th Street on foot and could not be found.
Family members told officers Burkholder had been outside with them before leaving the property in an unknown direction. He was reportedly wearing green pajamas.
Police initially searched the surrounding neighborhood by vehicle while also checking security-camera footage from nearby homes in an effort to determine which direction Burkholder had traveled.
As the search expanded, authorities established a command post at the intersection of Highway 9 and West North 9th Street.
Emmet County Emergency Management, the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Estherville Fire Department and Estherville Ambulance joined the response.
Officers and firefighters searched neighboring fields, wooded areas, yards, buildings and vehicles while two police drones conducted aerial searches over surrounding neighborhoods.
Because authorities did not know which direction Burkholder had gone, search teams covered a large area.
The search came to an end at approximately 12:20 p.m.
A team of firefighters preparing to search a ravine near West North 6th Street and West 6th Avenue North spotted what appeared to be the top of a person’s head.
When they reached the location, they found Burkholder inside a large washout.
Police said he had apparently fallen into the washout but was not injured.
Burkholder was described as tired following the ordeal. Estherville Ambulance personnel examined him before he was returned to his family.
The Estherville Police Department thanked the agencies that assisted as well as members of the public who checked home surveillance cameras and provided information during the search.
Police also thanked residents for allowing search teams to enter yards and other properties while looking for Burkholder.