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Missing Tipton County man’s truck found submerged in Mississippi River

The Tipton County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help locating a missing 59-year-old man.

TIPTON COUNTY, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – 7/29/2019 – The Tipton County Sheriff says a missing man’s truck has been found submerged in the Mississippi River.

The search remains ongoing for Paul Rodgers.

(TIPTON COUNTY NEWS RELEASE) – On Friday, July 19, 2019 at approximately 3:00 PM, the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible missing person. Paul Rodgers (59) was last seen at his home in the 5000 block of Munford Giltedge Road around 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2019. Rodgers left his home in his 2014 extended cab Ford F150 pickup truck, champagne/tan in color, reportedly headed to work in Memphis. A follow-up with his employer revealed he had called in on Thursday the 19th stating he would need to be off for several days. A search was immediately initiated using all available resources, with regional broadcasts being made to law enforcement agencies and first responders, as well as announcements on social and mainstream media.

Area land searches have been conducted by both ground and air across the region, while detectives continue to attempt to locate Rodgers by multiple other investigative means. It was determined during the investigation that Rodgers was also known to frequent the area along the Mississippi River. Detectives have been assisted in scouring portions of the Mississippi River, along the western border of Tipton County, using sonar technology. Using the sonar, search parties were able to locate and later identify Rodger’s truck, where it was salvaged this morning by black water diving crews, marine contractors, and a local towing service. Detectives and other first responder personnel are continuing to search for Rodgers.

The search for Rodgers and today’s recovery operation has been a collaborative effort between a multitude of local law enforcement and first responders, state and federal authorities, as well as local farmers and community members. We would like to thank the following for the assistance provided during this investigation, as well as countless others:

Sheriff Steve Sanders and the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, the Lauderdale County Rescue Squad, Sheriff Bobby Riles and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the Marshall County (MS) Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Memphis Police Department, the Tipton County Fire Department Chief Jon Piercey, the Tipton County Emergency Unit, the Tipton County Emergency Communications Center, the Gilt Edge Fire Department, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Luhr Bros. Inc., Alpha Marine Services, and Jim’s Towing Service.

“The search for Mr. Rodgers has been intensive and efforts are ongoing. We continue to remember Mr. Rodgers’ family in our prayers. We would like to thank the host of emergency service agencies, community members, and area businesses involved for their assistance during the search efforts,” said Sheriff J.T. “Pancho” Chumley.

The investigation is ongoing.  If anyone has information in this case, please call the Criminal Investigations Division at 901-475-3300, Central Dispatch after hours at 901-475-4300, phone in tips at 901-475-3307, email tips to sheriff@tiptonco.com or Facebook Sheriff J.T. Pancho Chumley.  Anonymous tips may be submitted to the Tipton County tip411 app or by texting “Tipton” to 847411.

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7/22/2019 – The Tipton County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help locating a missing 59-year-old man.

Paul Rodgers

Paul Rodgers was last seen about 4:00 p.m. Thursday at hishome in the 5000 block of Munford Giltedge Road. He left in his champagne/tan2014 extended cab Ford F150, license plate 5N5-7C0.

Paul Rodgers’ truck (Courtesy Tipton County Sheriff’s Office)

Investigators say Rodgers works at a business on Hickory HillRoad in Memphis.

Rodgers is about 6’4” and 275 pounds. He was last seenwearing a black t-shirt with lettering, blue jeans, a ball cap, and safetyboots with a welding shield on them.

Anyone with information or who believes they may have seenMr. Rodgers is asked to contact the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office at (901)475-3300, Central Dispatch after hours at 901-475-4300, phone in tips at901-475-3307, email tips to sheriff@tiptonco.comor Facebook Sheriff J.T. Pancho Chumley. Anonymous tips may be submitted to theTipton County tip411 app or by texting “Tipton” to 847411.

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