Elderly woman's heartfelt letter to thank Sunderland police officers after her disabled husband went missing

The grateful wife of a disabled pensioner who sparked a missing person investigation has written a heartfelt letter praising the “wonderful team” who found him.
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The 78-year-old man was reported missing at lunchtime on February 17 when he suddenly disappeared from the path alongside the River Wear in Sunderland.

The man, who is in motorised wheelchair and has limited speech, had continued down the path as his wife took a brief rest – but after a few minutes she couldn’t find him.

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Frantic with worry, she rang police and officers searched the riverside and Sunderland city centre in a bid to find the vulnerable man.

Iain Todd (left) and Sergeant Ed O’Brien with the letter and biscuits sent in by the thankful wifeIain Todd (left) and Sergeant Ed O’Brien with the letter and biscuits sent in by the thankful wife
Iain Todd (left) and Sergeant Ed O’Brien with the letter and biscuits sent in by the thankful wife

Thankfully, officers found him safe and well in The Bridges Shopping Centre in less than two hours.

To show her appreciation to the kind-hearted officers the man’s wife sent a touching thank you letter – along with a box of biscuits – to Southwick Police Station.

She wrote: “Yesterday I lost my husband as we were walking from the riverside to the town centre.

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“All officers concerned were absolutely wonderful and the response quick. To say this 75-year-old woman was hysterical was an understatement.

“But thanks to the utter calmness and patience and great care of all officers who either spoke to me on the phone or who were by my side was just fantastic.

“Their calmness and reassurance was just, in my opinion, beyond the call of duty. I regret I do not know their names, but my debt to them will never be forgotten.

“So please commend all officers concerned and thank you for such a wonderful team.”

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Inspector Steve Tallentire, who manages the response team, said: “While the circumstances behind any disappearance can be hugely upsetting and traumatic for those involved, it is always satisfying whenever a missing person is found safe and well and reunited with their loves one.”

Anybody with vulnerable relatives or loved ones are encouraged to sign up to the Herbert Protocol which can assist police or other agencies when trying to locate a missing person.

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