08/10/2026
August 10th 2026
Ref: News Release
On Saturday, August 8th, 2026, at approximately 8:40 am, the Estherville Police Department received a call that an elderly male with dementia had left his residence on foot and could not be located. Responding officers met with family members at 532 West North 9th Street to obtain a description and gather information. The missing person was identified as Gary Burkholder, age 67 of Estherville. It was reported that Gary was wearing green pajamas, had been outside with family members and left the property in an unknown direction.
Officers conducted an initial drive through the neighborhood and also began to check neighboring residence cameras to ascertain which direction Gary may have gone.
Officers set up 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 and Estherville Ambulance responded to the scene.
A search of neighboring fields and wooded areas was conducted by officers and firefighters. Officers employed two drones that were also conducting arial searches of the neighborhoods. Due to the unknown direction of travel, a large search of area residences was conducted. Officers and firefighters walked through yards and properties checking buildings and vehicles.
At approximately 12:20 pm, a search team of firefighters that were beginning the search of a ravine near West North 6th Street and West 6th Avenue North, observed what they believed was the top of someone’s head. They went to the location and found Gary. He had fallen into a large washout. Gary was uninjured but tired. He was examined by the Estherville Ambulance and returned to family members.
We would like to thank all the responding agencies and the public for their help in this case. Many members of the public checked their camera systems and contacted us during the event. This information was very helpful in our efforts. We appreciate the understanding of neighbors where our search teams entered and cleared their properties.
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