05/15/2026
Last evening, members of Rangeley Fire Rescue, Rangeley Rangeley Police Department , and an outstanding member of our community were recognized at the Maine Chiefs of Police Annual Awards Banquet.
Recipients were honored with the Life Saving Medal and plaque for their heroic actions during an incident that began on July 7, 2025. After a member of the Rangeley community was reported missing, an extensive search effort was conducted throughout the day; however, the individual was not located. Due to deteriorating weather conditions, search operations were suspended for the evening.
On July 8, newly obtained information regarding the individual’s last known whereabouts was provided to public safety personnel by Mr. Jim Higgins. This information was carefully considered and responders ultimately broadened their search strategy beyond initial assumptions in an effort to explore all possible locations where the individual may be.
Search crews located the missing individual approximately a half mile down a dirt road lying on his back, without shoes, with his shirt unbuttoned and hands resting on his chest. From a distance, it appeared the individual may have been deceased. However, upon closer assessment and after responders called out to him, the individual provided a reassuring response:
“I think I need to go to the hospital.”
At that moment, a full-scale rescue operation was initiated to provide immediate medical care and safely transport the patient. Lieutenant Camdan Carmichael began emergency medical treatment and patient care while Fire Chief Michael Bacon, Deputy Chief Steve Grant Jr., Sergeant Russell Adams, and Police Chief Richard Caton coordinated additional rescue personnel, medical resources, and the response of LifeFlight to the Rangeley Airport.
The patient was successfully extricated from the wooded area, transported by ambulance to the airport, and subsequently flown to Eastern Maine Medical Center for advanced care. Following treatment, the individual made a recovery and has since returned home safely.
Investigators later determined that without the critical information provided by Mr. Jim Higgins—and without responders’ willingness to expand search efforts beyond initial assumptions regarding the individual’s likely location—the missing person may not have been located and may not have survived another night.
It is because of these decisive actions, teamwork, persistence, and unwavering commitment to preserving life that the Maine Chiefs of Police Association Awards Committee honored these individuals with the Life Saving Award.
Rangeley Fire Rescue and the Rangeley Police Department remain proud of the professionalism, determination, and dedication displayed by all those involved. Most importantly, we are grateful for the positive outcome and that a member of our community was able to return home safely to their loved ones.
