MEDICAL NEEDS #MISSING: Edward Purcell, 79 - Elizabeth, NEW JERSEY (Dementia - suffers from seizures - retired NJ cop)

Multiple law enforcement agencies today combed through the woods of Kennedy Reservation, looking for evidence that could help them locate a 79-year-old former police officer reported missing by his son.

Edward Purcell is an Elizabeth resident and retired East Orange police officer who has been diagnosed with dementia and suffers from seizures. Police say he had last been seen approximately two weeks ago, by the superintendent of his Cherry Street apartment building.

The last activity on Purcell's cell phone, on Jan. 27, matched with a cell tower on Floral Avenue, covering a quarter-mile radius that includes Kean University, a portion of Magie Avenue and the reservation, said Elizabeth police Capt. William Pinho.

More than 50 officers from the Elizabeth, Union Township, Union County and Kean University police departments, the Union County Sheriff's Office and the Union County Prosecutor's office searched the woods today.

"This is a deep, wooded area, so it's very difficult to search," Pinho said.

An additional search by state police and a special canine unit from the Bergen County Sheriff's Office is planned for tomorrow morning, authorities said. Phil Rizzuto Park in Elizabeth, where Purcell is known to walk regularly, is also being searched.

"To search these areas — they're not that big, but it's no easy task," Elizabeth police Lt. Daniel Geddes said. "After five days, we've really exhausted the investigative means of finding someone."

Police had hoped to call in a helicopter to aid in the search, but the snow-covered ground makes it difficult for anything to be seen from the air, Geddes said. The cold weather also prohibits the use of heat-seeking infrared technology, he said.

Purcell retired from the East Orange Police department in 1987 after 27 years of service, according to public records.

He was last seen wearing a baseball cap, sweatpants and sweatshirt and is described as a bald white man with brown eyes, standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds.

Purcell's last bank activity was on Dec. 31, when he cashed a check in Union, according to police. A bank card in his name was found at Paddy's Place on Rosemount Avenue.

He was reported missing on Jan. 28, by his son in Millburn.

Police said they have checked with local hospitals and have not found anyone checked in under Purcell's name or matching his description.

Besides the park, locations Purcell frequently visits include Joe's Place and the Elks' Lodge in Union, the Knights of Columbus hall in Elizabeth and the V.F.W. hall in Roselle. He regularly rides the #52 NJ Transit bus, Geddes said.

"We talked to the bus driver," Geddes said. "He knows him very well, but he hasn't seen him in weeks."

Anyone who may have information about Purcell is asked to contact the Elizabeth Police Department at 908-558-2050 and refer to case number 15-1724.

 

[SOURCE]: http://www.nj.com/union/index.ssf/2015/02/woods_searched_for_retired_nj_cop_missing_for_2_we.html
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