Indiana State Police pilot discovers an injured missing man

HOWE, Ind. (WANE) - A missing man in rural Howe was located with help from an Indiana State Police pilot flying an aircraft nearby on Saturday.

According to Master Trooper James Sheffield, a 43-year-old man was reported missing by his family after he had walked away from home while intoxicated and suffering from a self-inflicted wound.

Family members called 911 after searching for the man in the area of the 5000 north block of CR 610 in LaGrange County. 

“We didn’t know the extent of his injuries and time was of the essence,” Sheffield said.

Officers arrived at the home to set up a perimeter and dispatched a K-9 team to search for the man.

An ISP pilot was in route to his hangar in Steuben County when his location was overheard by police on their radios.  The pilot was quickly diverted to the search area in LaGrange County.

Five minutes after the call to assist, the pilot, Sgt. Mike Harris, found the missing man lying in weeds.  The man had been carrying a knife and was disarmed by police, then transported by LaGrange County EMS to a local hospital.  The man received treatment for a serious but not life-threatening injury.