Officials grateful for help with search, recovery

Dear Editor,

On behalf of the City of McCook Public Works Department, McCook City and Volunteer Fire Department, McCook Police Department and Red Willow County Sheriff Department, we would like to thank the McCook businesses, local schools, rescue divers, local media, local churches, area communities and the many volunteers who put their hard work into the search for Scott Hoffman.

We would like to express the appreciation we received from the community for all their generous support; the numerous volunteers who gathered at the fire station from wall to wall, each one waiting patiently and willing to help; the many telephone calls we received from people offering their services; all the horses, ATVs, 4x4 pickups and vans used to transport volunteers; the quantity of food and drinks donated by businesses and individuals to feed everyone; and the amount of money donated to use for extra expenses.

We would like to thank Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska State Patrol Airwing Division, State of Nebraska Corrections Department Work Ethic Camp, Red Willow County Department of Roads, McCook Public Schools, Decatur County Sheriff's Department, Frontier County Sheriff's Department and Kitty Shaner and Cy Tilford with the Wind Runner Search and Rescue of North Platte for the use of their bloodhounds.

We would also like to thank the Beaver Valley Fire and Rescue Department, Bartley Fire and Rescue, Culbertson Fire and Rescue Department, Trenton Fire and Rescue Department, Indianola Fire and Rescue Department, Cambridge Fire and Rescue Department, Arapahoe Fire and Rescue Department, Wauneta EMS Department, the McCook Clinic, McCook Community College, Frontier County Commission road crew, GoLight, St. Patrick's Church, Community Hospital of McCook, McCook Christian Church, High Plains Cab Service, Evangelical Free Church and Dave Stout and Rich Barnett and the KICX staff.

We also appreciate the services offered by Connie Joe Discoe and Gloria Masoner of the McCook Daily Gazette, Jesse Stevens and the KIOD staff, Mike O'Dell with swnebr.net, Barb Ostrum of Mid-Nebraska Community Services, Inc-Outreach Office, Sehnert's, Ampride, Willow Ridge Retirement Center, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Oz-Tex, First Central Bank, Casey's, WalMart Supercenter, Sunmart, Phones Etc., Jonzeez Java, Health and Human Services, Rye Printing, rescue divers from Kearney, Cambridge North Platte, Sutherland, Ogallala, Paxton and Keystone and approximately 150 individual volunteers. (To many to list, but you know who you are.)

We truly appreciated all the help and support of each and every one of you. We may have missed people or businesses and for that, we apologize.

Even though the results were tragic, the overall response of the different departments and volunteers of the community showed us that Southwest Nebraska is truly a kind and caring place to live. We want to express our deepest appreciation to all for the help given us in the search for Scott Hoffman. Our thoughts and prayers will always be with his family and friends.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Marty Conroy,

McCook Public Works Director

Ike Brown

McCook Police Chief

Gene Mahon,

Red Willow

County Sheriff

Marc Harpham

McCook Fire Chief