A rapid and coordinated effort by law enforcement, emergency responders, and a family friend led to the safe recovery of a missing Clarkesville man Monday afternoon.
On May 5, Bob Coates’ wife reported him missing from their home behind the Old Clarkesville Mill. “She called us upset that he was missing,” said Clarkesville Police Chief Danny Clouatre.
Shortly afterward, individuals at the nearby Soque River Greenway reported seeing Coates walking toward Historic Highway 441 near the Mill. Concern mounted due to Coates’ medical condition and fears he may be disoriented. That information set in motion an urgent, multi-agency response.
Chief Clouatre, Assistant Chief Ryan Ledford, and Clarkesville Fire Chief Jason Poole quickly established a unified command post at the Mill. Within minutes, local and state agencies were mobilized.
“So many things happened so quickly,” Clouatre said.
Clarkesville Municipal Court Clerk Samayra Key entered Coates’ information into a statewide database, while Habersham E-911 Dispatch prepared to issue a Mattie’s Call alert to notify the public.
“One of the game wardens launched a drone to search the river and surrounding areas, just in case,” Clouatre noted.
Georgia State Patrol Aviation joined the effort, deploying a helicopter equipped with thermal imaging to assist in the search. Meanwhile, Clarkesville Police posted a lookout on Facebook urging anyone with information to call 911.
That call came from a family friend. About an hour into the search, José Flores spotted Coates near The Attic restaurant in downtown Clarkesville. Officers responded and escorted Coates to a waiting ambulance, where he was evaluated by medical personnel before being returned home.
Clarkesville Police later posted the update everyone hopes for in such situations: “Mr. Coates has been located and is healthy! Thank you for all your help!”
Coates, who appeared to be in good spirits, told officers he had simply decided to walk to the library because it was a nice day. His family confirmed it was unusual for him to leave without letting someone know.
“It was a wonderful, good ending and a quick resolution. I’m extremely happy about it,” Clouatre told Now Habersham.
The chief emphasized that Monday’s successful outcome was the result of recent unified command training.
“We’ve been training the police department and some fire units to work under a unified command system so we can combine resources efficiently. Today, our training paid off,” Clouatre said. “Today was a perfect example of how quickly things can work when we all follow our training and work together.”
Clouatre expressed his gratitude for the swift, professional response from all involved, including the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, Habersham EMS and E-911, Demorest Police Department, Stephens County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Donna Frady of Habersham Search and Rescue, and family friends José Flores and Judy Williams “for being our information relay with the family.”
