Police suspend search for Glocester officer
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Search Called Off
The search for a missing Glocester police officer has been called off. His family still hopes he will be found alive.
NBC 10 News
Michael Hopton (Shown in 2002)
Published: September 16, 2009
Updated: September 17, 2009
The search for a Glocester police officer who was reported missing was suspended at sundown Wednesday.
Officer Michael Hopton was last seen Saturday in the area of Pulaski State Park in Glocester.
A massive search began Sunday morning, but it was scaled back Wednesday. State police said they searched 15 square miles of land.
State police said they will maintain a presence at the park and follow other leads, but they did not elaborate.
Searchers found Hopton’s car with one key on the seat Sunday morning, but there was no sign of the officer. Police believe Hopton took his service revolver and his Rhode Island driver’s license.
Police said they don’t suspect foul play and that it appears Hopton does not want to be found.
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Reader Reactions
They should keep searching for him, just scale it down if they have to , or let the volunteers that they told not to come do it, They have done a wonderful job so far but he needs to be found. My Heart aches for his daughter, he cherished her. I knew him for years and he is a good hard working guy.
i dont think he is alive. i heard that gun shots were heard. so he is either dead and in one of the lakes in the park. and i think the reason the dogs didnt find a scent is because it probaly rained. or misted. which would kill the scent. they should search the waters. he might be in there. if he isnt in the water. then he’s some where in an area thats not near a path. he’s got to be in the either george or the other place. and it did say his gun was missing. so its obvious he either ended his life or someone did it. anythings possible these day’s.
I think after spending the tax payers money searching for this officer and now changing courses and suspending the search that police should be up front with the public as to why they feel the search should be suspended. Obviously there is more to this story than is being shared.
I certainly hope he is “hiding” but if he is so unfair to all the volunteers who spent their time looking for him. Also for his wife and kids. Could he be running for something? I have a feeling the state police know if he is.
yikes! this doesn’t sound like it’s going to turn out very good! why would he be “hiding”?!?! I hate to think the worst, but in this case I’m not getting a very good feeling! I hope he is ok though!
Mr. Hopton hasn’t been found because he’s running too fast. Dead? I don’t think so. You heard the man: “Someone who doesn’t want to be found.“ He staged a hoax. These troopers or whomever WILL find him, it’s just a matter of time.
I think the point here is that he being a Police officer knew there would be a search for him…a massive search. So I think he “hid” himself when he did himself in. What a shame, and a sad, sad thing for his family, friends and co-workers to deal with. Sad very sad.
mlw—sadly i think your right.
I think they know what happened to him. And just want to keep it private.
i am really sad that they have stoped teh search for mr hopton i think they need to look more unitl they find him i mean what about his family what about other people who have someone go missing do you think they would want them to stop looking i mean they sshould at least have 10-15 people look for him instead of the full 300 people this just aggravates me he is a good guy he deserves to be found
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