by AAH Angela Bruner
Kaylee Johnson, who works at Casey’s in Hennessey, played a key role in reuniting a Vietnam veteran with his family after he went missing, possibly due to dementia. This all went down on January 16, 2024, in Hennessey. It started when the Hennessey Police Department got a BOLO (Be On the Look Out) alert from the Kingfisher Sheriff’s Office about an elderly man from Yukon driving a black Chevrolet pickup truck. Concerned for his safety, law enforcement jumped into action.
Chief Solis stopped by Casey’s to ask the employees if they’d seen the man. Kaylee remembered seeing him get gas before he drove off. She agreed to call the police if he showed up again and was happy to help. Shortly after, she spotted the elderly man’s truck back at Casey’s. Without thinking twice, she reported where the vehicle was, giving a detailed description that included the license plate and what he was wearing.
Reserve officer Robert Cancemi who was with Chief Solis, spotted the vehicle heading south from Casey’s down Main Street.
Thanks to Kaylee’s quick thinking, Chief Solis and Officer Cancemi were able to find him fast. They approached the driver, identified as Harold, with kindness to check and see if he was okay. Officer Cancemi visited with the elderly man while Chief Solis contacted Harold’s daughter, Lori, who rushed to the scene. Relieved to be reunited with her dad, Harold was safely taken home by Lori and her husband, turning what could have been a scary situation into a happy ending.
Friday, January 17th, both Chief Solis and Officer Cancemi presented Kaylee with a thank you letter for her quick action, keen observation, and outstanding information that led to this happy ending. Thank you, Kaylee, ~ you make Hennessey a great place to live.
