Hedrick

ELKINS – As authorities continue to search for a local elderly man suffering from dementia, Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon has asked for the public’s assistance.

James Hedrick, 82, was reported missing on Monday after he was last seen leaving Davis Medical Center in his black Subaru Forester bearing West Virginia registration 808111A. According to authorities, he traveled toward the Veterans Intersection after leaving the hospital.

Elbon’s statement, which was posted on his and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office social media, asks residents and businesses with security cameras along roadways in Randolph County and surrounding areas to review footage from Monday.

“Right now we are just looking for any lead we can get,” Elbon told The Inter-Mountain. “He (Hedrick) had about a half a tank of gas as we understand, and we don’t think he had any money. So we are not really sure how far he may have driven. He is from the Red Creek area in Tucker County.”

Elbon said that today’s technology is helpful in cases that involve missing persons.

“We have tech now where we can take somebody’s ring cameras at their homes and upload the information through our body cams, if they give us permission,” Elbon said. “Most gas stations and stores have cameras and if they could review what they have from Monday, that would be very helpful and maybe give us a direction of travel for him and a time stamp. Right now it’s just wide open to where he could be.”

If anyone has seen Hedrick or his vehicle, or has any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 304-636-2000.

“The smallest little thing could lead to helping us find Mr. Hedrick,” Elbon said. “People can give us a call with whatever information they have and we will work on it.”