EPD Press Release: Response to Silver Alert June 18, 2025
Elkins, WV—June 19, 2025: On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at approximately 12:02 p.m., Cpl. Summerfield of the Elkins Police Department received a missing person report from a health care worker. Harold Wayne Simmons, 80, was reported to be missing from his home on Gorman Avenue. A Silver Alert was subsequently issued for Mr. Simmons.
At approximately 10:27 pm, Sr. Patrolman Coffman and Patrolman Davis responded to a heavily wooded area near Fern Hill Lane to assist Sr. Trooper Petrella of the West Virginia State Police with a trespassing call. The three officers on scene split up to search different parts of the area. While searching, Sr. Patrolman Coffman heard a male subject call out. Coffman proceeded to the area that he heard the voice and discovered Mr. Simmons partially submerged in a large creek, injured with water up to his neck.
Mr. Simmons was located at the bottom of an extremely steep embankment that was approximately 20 feet tall and extremely slick from recent rainfall. Sr. Patrolman Coffman immediately traversed the embankment with the use of a tree, entered the water and pulled Mr. Simmons to safety. Sr. Patrolman Coffman contacted Randolph County 911 by radio and requested EMS and fire department assistance. The other officers on scene arrived at Coffman’s location and assisted in providing care for Mr. Simmons until the arrival of fire and EMS. The Elkins Fire Department arrived on scene and performed a rope rescue operation to get Mr. Simmons back up the embankment. Mr. Simmons was transported by Randolph County EMS to Davis Medical Center and then on to Ruby Memorial Hospital for treatment.
After reading the statements of all the officers on scene and reviewing the body-worn camera footage, there is no doubt in my mind that the actions of all the first responders present, and more especially those of Sr. Patrolman Coffman saved the life of Mr. Simmons. I am deeply thankful for a good outcome to this situation, and extremely grateful to the other public safety agencies that the Elkins Police Department has the pleasure to work with.
Chief Travis C. Bennett
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