Yesterday, 10/21/23, around 7:30 p.m., the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to a missing person from Prairie Du Rocher.
The missing person was identified as 83 year old, Gerald X. Melliere. When deputies arrived on scene with Rocher Police Department, Rocher Fire Department, and several community volunteers, a search began.
After searching Melliere’s last known location and searching several miles with a law enforcement drone, Mr. Melliere was located five hours later by drone in an un-picked corn field. He was approximately a half mile from his residence.
I want to commend everyone for their efforts in locating Mr. Melliere. I specifically want to commend Randolph County Detective, Stephen Miles, for his dedicated efforts in organizing the scene.
When you hear people talk about coming together in a small town to help someone, this is a prime example. Once again, thank you to everyone who assisted in locating Mr. Melliere.
Randolph County Sheriff, Jarrod Peters