At approximately 11:33 a.m., on Sunday, February 2, 2020, 83 year-old Roger Dunworth who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, wandered away from his residence in the 4000 block of Marber Avenue in Lakewood.
Shortly thereafter, deputies from Lakewood Station responded to investigate and find Mr. Dunworth. While on scene, deputies learned that Mr. Dunworth was part of the Project Lifesaver program and alerted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Mental Evaluation Team (MET) personnel to co-respond.
The Sheriff’s Department’s Mental Evaluation Team who is the lead law enforcement agency for Project Lifesaver quickly dispatched three ground units, Project Lifesaver equipment and a helicopter to find Mr. Dunworth.
While coordinating the search, neighbors in the area learned that the beloved Mr. Dunworth was missing and a neighborhood search team was formed. Part of that search team included eight year-old Jaxon Opdyke who was with his grandmother and mother.
After searching the area via car for a little over and hour, Jaxon spotted Mr. Dunworth. The family notified the Mental Evaluation Team, who positively identified Mr. Dunworth and reunited him with family. He was unharmed, in good spirits and appreciative of being returned home safely.
After the reunion, LASD MET Deputy Daniel Cerda presented an exuberant Jaxon with a badge sticker promptly making him a deputy for the day.
Today, Lakewood Sheriff’s Station personnel and city of Lakewood officials joined Jaxon and his family to speak with the local media about the details surrounding the incident. Jaxon was also presented with gifts of appreciation by LASD MET personnel and the city of Lakewood for his help in finding Mr. Dunworth.
City of Lakewood Mayor Todd Rogers stated, “One of our dearest held values is neighbors helping neighbors. People stepping up to help their fellow resident here in the city of Lakewood.” Mayor Rogers then thanked Jaxon “for being Lakewood’s newest hero.”
Lakewood Station Captain David Sprengel praised Jaxon and said, “Today we celebrate Jaxon Opdyke, our eight year-old hero from Lakewood,” before presenting Jaxon with the Lakewood Station pin which is just like the one Lakewood deputies wear.
“Look! Down that street,” said Jaxon after spotting a person fitting the description of Mr. Dunworth. Once Jaxon and his family got closer, Jaxon’s grandmother asked, “Hey, are you Roger?” Mr. Dunworth replied, “Yeah, I could sure use a ride!”
Mr. Dunsworth was then brought home safely.
Hear from Jaxon himself about finding Mr. Dunworth here: https://bit.ly/2Ozu9GG
For questions about this touching story of community bonding with law enforcement to tackle neighborhood concerns or about LASD’s involvement in the LA Found Project, please contact Sergeant Vincent Plair at (626) 258-3025 or (213) 505-4826.
On September 5, 2018 the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Aging and Community Services Department (WDACS) officially launched the Project Lifesaver program in Los Angeles County with strong support from Supervisor Janice Hahn. Prior to today, LASD has conducted 31 Project Lifesaver searches with great success.
Finding missing people with autism, Alzheimer’s and dementia is one aspect of the larger interactions of law enforcement and citizens with mental, emotional and behavioral disabilities. Training is essential for successful contact with many at-risk individuals, particularly those with autism and limited communication and cognitive abilities. Project Lifesaver is a program where individuals with impairment like this can be located if they wander off (elopement) which is common. Participants who sign up for this program wear special transmitters which look like bracelets which can be tracked. Some would describe it like “lojack” for people.
Juanita Navarro-Suarez, Deputy
@LASDJuanita
Sheriff's Information Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles California 90012
213-229-1700
Website: http://www.lasd.org
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Alex Villanueva, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
