Grateful thanks to all who found our son

Our family recently experienced a terrifying situation. Our son was reported missing while fishing. While we waited beside the road, we witnessed the most amazing outpouring of care and concern for our loved one, by complete strangers who came together to search for our son.

We would like to thank the many individuals and organizations that took part in this more than 24-hour operation.

First, thank you Sgt. Danny Wikstrom and Deputy Sheriff Glen Bergstrom for their coordinating efforts and for keeping us well informed as to what was happening. They were compassionate, caring and thorough in their communications with us. Both officers were very forward in passing on the real credit to the many volunteers who were searching the heavily wooded, tough terrain.

We would like to say thank you to the 70 search and rescue volunteers from Snohomish, Skagit and King counties. These included King County Explorer Search and Rescue, Skagit County Search and Rescue, search and rescue units from Darrington, Everett Mountain Rescue, Snohomish, Marysville and Alderwood. Thanks to the Operations Support, the Mounted Horseback Team, and the Canine Team and Tracking Team.

Thanks also to Snohomish County Fire Protection Districts’ newly formed Stillaguamish Water Rescue Team, which included: Districts 49 (Arlington Heights), 37 (Oso) and 39 (Darrington). District 49 used two hovercrafts and District 39 used their ATV Team.

A very special thanks goes to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter SnoHawk 1 for spotting Eric’s campfire with their night vision goggles. This resulted in the GPS coordinates for the horseback and canine teams to go in and bring our son out.

This little thank you cannot relay our appreciation but we do thank each individual effort put forth on our son’s behalf.

Gail and Terry Johnson

Marysville

Gail, JR and Val

Nicole and Joel

and Eric

Seattle