Saturday, March 25, 2000
Cops' search for man praised
Woman throws party as officers receive award
BY WALT SCHAEFER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SHARONVILLE — Police from five area departments converged on a Barony Place condominium Friday — to receive thanks.
Police from three counties — including a helicopter and three canine units — conducted a three-hour search March 7 for Thalia Latvala's husband, Dick Fitzwater, 60, a sufferer of Binswanger's disease. The disease is a form of dementia similar to Alzheimer's disease.
“I just want it to be known that I am very grateful to these police and my neighborhood. Everyone was so understanding of my concerns and they did an outstanding job of helping,” said Ms. Latvala.
To thank the officers, Ms. Latvala threw a little party Friday afternoon at her home, where Lisa Desatnik, spokeswoman for the Greater Cincinnati chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, announced that the officers had received a newly created recognition — “The Road Less Traveled Award” for outstanding community service.
“So much of the positive effort of our policing agencies goes unnoticed that we feel so compelled to recognize them when such a job was done to bring a beloved husband back together with his wife,” said Diana Trenkamp, executive director of the local Alzheimer's chapter.
Ms. Latvala said, “I am in awe of the teamwork that took place between the Hamilton County (sheriff's) helicopter (pilot) and deputies, (Butler County's) Union Township police, Warren County sheriff's deputies from Deerfield Township, Hamilton County Park District Rangers and Sharonville Police.”
The incident unfolded about 7 p.m. when Mr. Fitzwater wandered away from his home while being watched by Ms. Latvala's mother, Ellen Latvala; her brother, Rod; and a friend, Margaret Clarke. The three were eating dinner and thought that Mr. Fitzwater was visiting next-door neighbors — something he frequently enjoyed. Mr. Fitzwater's wife was out of town on business.
Sharonville Police Officers Linda Kelly and Paul Healy stayed with the family while the search was organized. Sharonville Patrolman Nick Kreiner, a marathon runner, ran the 5-mile trail through Sharon Woods near the Fitzwater/Latvala condominium, which the couple frequented on daily strolls. Park Rangers Bill Murphy, Cindy Williams and Barb Walsh combed the park.
Capt. Mark C. Heitkamp, who flies the Hamilton County sheriff's helicopter, searched from above. Union Township Officer Mark Weingartner and his dog, Hunter, also took up the search along with Hamilton County sheriff's deputies Cpl. John Bise and his dog, Greg, and Officer Troy Swearingen with dog Bach.
Ms. Latvala said her husband had strolled off in an unexpected direction — northeast into Deerfield Township — where he apparently become cold as it got dark. He tried to get inside an office in Duke Industrial Park about 10 p.m. Warren County sheriff's deputies from Deerfield Township, Doug Wheatley and Scott Williams, responded after employees of a janitorial service called police. They saw Mr. Fitzwater — who appeared disoriented — attempting to get inside the building. Police returned him to his home.
Ms. Latvala said her husband, a former area sales representative who lost his job to the disease, has walked away before “but he had always wandered away with an agenda — a purpose or place to go” — and was easily located, she said.
Sharonville Police Chief Mike Schappa said he appreciates the award “but the officers were just doing their jobs. It's what we are trained to do and do well. I think they are making a lot out of this.”
Not so, said Ms. Latvala: “Their effort and concern brought many tears of thanks, and (I) hope that all of this expertise will not have to be called upon very often. But I feel secure knowing it's there.”
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