A cadre pf police are using the Living Hope Church on College Highway in Southwick as a staging area for the search and rescue operations of a missing Southwick man. (Photo by Hope Tremblay)
SOUTHWICK – The Living Hope Church on College Highway was turned into a command center this morning as the search for a despondent Southwick man continued.
At least 30 Massachusetts State Troopers, part of the search and rescue team, are part of the group searching for the 57-year-old Southwick man who left his home yesterday and entered the woods in the vicinity of the church.
The state police helicopter searched from the air as troopers and Southwick Police officers met inside the church before resuming the search that began just after 3 p.m. Thursday.
The following is a statement released by Southwick Police Chief Kevin Bishop:
Jeffrey Bober, of Southwick, is a 6-foot-tall white male with blond hair and a full facial beard and was reported missing on June 6. (Photo courtesy of the Southwick Police Dept.)
“On 6-6-2019 the Southwick Public Safety Dispatch center received a call that a despondent male subject had walked into the woods in the area of 249 College Highway. Southwick Police and fire were dispatched to the area. Once at that location the male subject was identified to be Jeffrey Bober age 56 of Southwick Mass. A command post was set up and a search was started. Outside agencies were contacted for assistance in the search. Agencies involved were Westfield Police that assisted with a drone and a drone operator, Longmeadow Police assisted with a K-9 Officer, Mass State Police assisted with a trooper at the Command post and their helicopter was deployed also. At approximately 8:45 p.m. the search was ended for the evening due to darkness.
The search was resumed at 9 a.m. with members of the Southwick Police and Fire and assistance from the Mass. State Police Special Emergency Response Team.
Mr. Bober is described to be a white male 6-foot-tall, Blond Hair, with full facial beard last known clothing was blue jeans and a light-colored dirty t-shirt. I ask that if any one has any information on the location of Mr. Bober or if you see someone matching that description to please contact the Southwick Police at 413-569-5348.
I cannot thank enough the assistance we have received from these outside agencies.
Our full intent to today is to do everything we can to locate Mr. Bober and bring him home safely to his family.”
