DIXIE COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – UPDATE, 10:05 p.m.: Family, friends and emergency personnel across the 352 are mourning the loss of one of their own.
Dixie County Fire Rescue (DCFR) announced missing Battalion Chief Andrew William English has been found dead.
DCFR says the 55-year-old found Monday evening in Dixie County.
“We are devastated by this news and ask for continued prayers for the family, colleagues, and every individual that has played a part in his life,” said DCFR in a Facebook post. “Chief English brought a wealth of knowledge, passion, and unwavering dedication to the fire service during a long career.”
The agency updated its profile picture on Facebook to post a black band across its logo to signify the department is in mourning.
ORIGINAL, 12:36 p.m.: The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) issued a purple alert over the weekend after receiving a report of a missing man.
Deputies say 55-year-old Andrew William English was last seen at his home in Dixie County on Saturday wearing a light blue t-shirt, blue shorts, and blue Hey Dude shoes.
DCSO shared in a Facebook post that English and his vehicle, a 2013 Silver GMC 2500 pickup truck, have been entered into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center and Florida Crime Information Center as missing.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has also been notified, and a “Purple Alert” has been issued for English.
The FDLE says the Purple Alert system is designed to help locate missing adults who have a mental or cognitive disability that does not stem from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia-related disorders, brain injuries, intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Marion County Fire Rescue has shared the alert to its Facebook page and identified English as a former lieutenant for the department.
On Monday afternoon, Dixie County Fire Rescue (DCFR) Chief Darian Brown posted more recent photos of English on Facebook and commented his disappearance the search to find him.
“As many are aware, one of our own, Battalion Chief Andrew English, was found missing on Saturday,” said Brown. “The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office, along with our staff and family of Chief English, have been working tirelessly since the incident began, to search every area, lead, or sighting provided. As the search continues, I ask that you all keep the family, our staff, and those assisting in the search, in your thoughts and prayers.”
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If you have any information regarding English’s whereabouts, please call DCSO dispatch at (352)498-1231.