Kelly
Founder, Project Jason
http://www.theindependent.com/stories/103005/new_missing30.shtml
Web-Posted Oct 30, 2005
Looking for the lost, missing
Not all cases are handled the same by officials
By Gretchen Fowler
From the 2001 abduction of a Kearney teenager to a massive search for two Ord natives lost in a snowstorm, missing persons cases in Nebraska over the past five years have made local, state and national news.
Not all cases are handled the same, and not all cases have a happy ending. Fortunately, even in the grimmest looking of circumstances, some of them do.
"Our attempts to locate, the majority of the time, come in the form of overdue parties," said Capt. Chris Kolb, who commands the Nebraska State Patrol's Troop C, which is based in Grand Island.
Such was the case when Kearney farmer Gerald "Jerry" Gillming, 52, was reported missing on Oct. 21 from his farmland near Gibbon. He didn't show up when expected and was reported missing by his family.
Gillming was found alive five days later in Kansas and returned home in good health. He claimed to have been abducted but admitted later that the story was made up.
Air and ground searches conducted for Gillming were similar to searches conducted for a missing Indiana woman whose abandoned car was found in Hamilton County this year. In both cases, law enforcement had a specific area to search, and in both cases, the search was called off when the area had been thoroughly covered.
"A lot of it is based on the information you have on hand and the resources available to use," Kolb said of the decision to initiate a full-scale search.
The situation's circumstances control what assets are put forward and how far the initial search goes, he said. When you exhaust immediate leads, he said, you sit back and wait for the next break that will lead you somewhere else. There is no set time for how long a physical search should continue.
"A lot depends on the circumstances and the information the reporting parties give you," Kolb said. "There are no set circumstances that somebody has to be gone X-number of hours."
The search in January for Ord natives Janelle Hornickel and Michael Wamsley began in Sarpy County when dispatchers received several 911 calls from the couple saying they were lost in a snowstorm. In that case, the search was centered around areas in which the couple believed they might be and areas near cell phone towers that picked up their calls for help.
That case, as well as the case of the missing Indiana woman, Gillming's case and the case of a Central City native who was reported missing in February, all involved volunteers from the general public.
Kolb said the Gillming incident is "indicative of the Nebraska spirit of cooperation and helping out fellow citizens."
He said it's nice to know that, when the need arises, people will leave their regular jobs and go out and help.
Many volunteers who helped search for missing persons in Nebraska this year did so on their own time. That assistance, Kolb said, is invaluable and very much appreciated.
"The number of people that you have betters your ability to cover a tract of land thoroughly so you can make sure you didn't miss anything," Kolb said.
When it comes to how long you should wait before reporting someone missing, Kolb said you need to look at the circumstances. Is it like that person to go somewhere without letting others know, is it like him or her to be late, and would that person call under normal circumstances?
When asked what a person can do to ensure his or her safety, Kolb said, "Be aware of your surroundings. One shouldn't live in fear, and I don't think someone has to live in fear in this part of the country."
If you're going somewhere you're nervous about, Kolb suggests taking a friend along or letting someone know where you'll be and when to expect you back. Take a cell phone with you when you're alone. If you perceive someone who is odd or paying extra attention to you, put yourself in the position to be around a number of people so there would be help readily available if something would happen.
A new clearinghouse designed to track missing adults in Nebraska was launched this month on the Nebraska State Patrol's Web site. Nebraska lawmakers created the Missing Person's Clearinghouse during the 2005 legislative session, with the passage of LB111.
The Nebraska State Patrol will serve as a central repository for information on missing persons. Information gathered is disseminated to assist law enforcement agencies, public and private organizations and the citizens of Nebraska in locating missing persons.
"The patrol has long maintained a database of missing children. The addition of missing adults will allow us to provide information for all Nebraska families searching for a missing loved one," said Col. Bryan Tuma, State Patrol superintendent.
The public can access information on missing persons in Nebraska by logging on to www.nsp.state.ne.us, clicking on "Programs/Services" in the left-hand menu column, then clicking on "NE Missing Persons."
The Nebraska Missing Persons Clearinghouse can be reached by calling (402) 479-4986 or (877) 441-LOST (5678).
Area missing persons cases in the news
Kearney teen Anne Sluti was 17 years old when she was abducted from a mall parking lot in Kearney on April 6, 2001. Witnesses reported the abduction to police. Sluti was held captive for six days by Anthony Zappa, also known as Anthony Steven Wright, a fugitive wanted for various crimes in five other states. Zappa surrendered after a 10-hour standoff with police at a remote cabin in Montana. He was sentenced in September 2002 to life in prison without parole. Sluti was returned safely to her family, and the story was featured on Court TV in 2004.
Jason Anthony Jolkowski of Omaha was 19 years old when he was reported missing. His whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance are still unknown. Jolkowski's grandparents live in Grand Island, and his story was featured on the Montel Williams show in November 2004.
Ord natives Michael Wamsley and Janelle Hornickel, both 20 and of Omaha, got lost in a blizzard in rural Sarpy County in January 2005 and died from exposure to the elements before they could be found. The couple made several calls to 911 for help on Jan. 5. Massive air and ground searches were conducted in the area near Gretna. Wamsley's body was found on Jan. 6, and Hornickel's was found on Jan. 12, at a sandpit southwest of Omaha. The story was featured on ABC's "Primetime Live" in March.
Central City High School graduate Kendra Benham left friends on Feb. 4, 2005, to attend a party near the Southeast Community College-Beatrice campus, where she was a first-year student. She was reported missing on Feb. 7 when she failed to show up for classes. Air and ground searches were conducted in Gage and Jefferson counties, and her body was found on Feb. 10, along with her pickup, in a ravine in Gage County. Her death was ruled an accident.
Bradley Petersen, 28, of Grand Island was reported missing on March 13, 2005, by his wife, who hadn't seen him since he left for work the day before. Authorities tried calling his cell phone, which hit off a tower in rural Howard County. Air and ground searches were conducted, and Petersen was found in his pickup in a Howard County field. He tried to elude law enforcement by driving through fields and pastures but eventually surrendered. A small amount of methamphetamine and marijuana was found in his truck, Nebraska State Patrol Capt. Chris Kolb said.
Jennifer Zachman, 22, of Indiana was reported missing on July 8, 2005. The search for her began on July 14, when a vehicle with Indiana plates was found abandoned and out of gas in Hamilton County. A check of the license plate indicated that Zachman was driving the car. Air and ground searches were conducted in the area, but Zachman was not located. She was found alive by a motorist on Aug. 11. She had apparently been living under an Interstate 80 bridge near Grand Island for weeks.
Gerald "Jerry" Gillming, 52, of Kearney was reported missing by his family on Oct. 21 after disappearing from a rural farm pasture northwest of Gibbon. Air and ground searches were conducted on Oct. 22 and 23, and Gillming was discovered alive in Kansas on Wednesday. Gillming initially said he was abducted by three men and put on a train but later recanted the story. He returned home late Wednesday night in good physical condition. The incident remains under investigation.
Still missing
Name: Jason Anthony Jolkowski
Classification: endangered missing adult
Alias/nickname: J.J.
Date of birth: June 24, 1981
Date missing: June 13, 2001
From city/state: Omaha (His grandparents live in Grand Island.)
Age at time of disappearance: 19
Gender: male
Race: white
Height: 6 feet 1 inch
Weight: 165 pounds
Hair color: brown
Eye color: brown
Complexion: light
Clothing: White Chicago Cubs or Sammy Sosa T-shirt, black dress pants, blue Cubs cap, dress shoes and also carrying red work shirt
Circumstances of disappearance: unknown. Jason was last seen bringing in garbage cans at his residence after pickup. He was leaving to meet a co-worker at the high school only eight blocks away to get a ride to work but never arrived. He has not accessed his bank account and has not cashed checks from his employer.
Investigative agency: Omaha Police Department
Phone: Call (402) 444-5657 if you have any information that may be helpful in this case.
Web-Posted Oct 30, 2005
Looking for the lost, missing
Not all cases are handled the same by officials
By Gretchen Fowler
From the 2001 abduction of a Kearney teenager to a massive search for two Ord natives lost in a snowstorm, missing persons cases in Nebraska over the past five years have made local, state and national news.
Not all cases are handled the same, and not all cases have a happy ending. Fortunately, even in the grimmest looking of circumstances, some of them do.
"Our attempts to locate, the majority of the time, come in the form of overdue parties," said Capt. Chris Kolb, who commands the Nebraska State Patrol's Troop C, which is based in Grand Island.
Such was the case when Kearney farmer Gerald "Jerry" Gillming, 52, was reported missing on Oct. 21 from his farmland near Gibbon. He didn't show up when expected and was reported missing by his family.
Gillming was found alive five days later in Kansas and returned home in good health. He claimed to have been abducted but admitted later that the story was made up.
Air and ground searches conducted for Gillming were similar to searches conducted for a missing Indiana woman whose abandoned car was found in Hamilton County this year. In both cases, law enforcement had a specific area to search, and in both cases, the search was called off when the area had been thoroughly covered.
"A lot of it is based on the information you have on hand and the resources available to use," Kolb said of the decision to initiate a full-scale search.
The situation's circumstances control what assets are put forward and how far the initial search goes, he said. When you exhaust immediate leads, he said, you sit back and wait for the next break that will lead you somewhere else. There is no set time for how long a physical search should continue.
"A lot depends on the circumstances and the information the reporting parties give you," Kolb said. "There are no set circumstances that somebody has to be gone X-number of hours."
The search in January for Ord natives Janelle Hornickel and Michael Wamsley began in Sarpy County when dispatchers received several 911 calls from the couple saying they were lost in a snowstorm. In that case, the search was centered around areas in which the couple believed they might be and areas near cell phone towers that picked up their calls for help.
That case, as well as the case of the missing Indiana woman, Gillming's case and the case of a Central City native who was reported missing in February, all involved volunteers from the general public.
Kolb said the Gillming incident is "indicative of the Nebraska spirit of cooperation and helping out fellow citizens."
He said it's nice to know that, when the need arises, people will leave their regular jobs and go out and help.
Many volunteers who helped search for missing persons in Nebraska this year did so on their own time. That assistance, Kolb said, is invaluable and very much appreciated.
"The number of people that you have betters your ability to cover a tract of land thoroughly so you can make sure you didn't miss anything," Kolb said.
When it comes to how long you should wait before reporting someone missing, Kolb said you need to look at the circumstances. Is it like that person to go somewhere without letting others know, is it like him or her to be late, and would that person call under normal circumstances?
When asked what a person can do to ensure his or her safety, Kolb said, "Be aware of your surroundings. One shouldn't live in fear, and I don't think someone has to live in fear in this part of the country."
If you're going somewhere you're nervous about, Kolb suggests taking a friend along or letting someone know where you'll be and when to expect you back. Take a cell phone with you when you're alone. If you perceive someone who is odd or paying extra attention to you, put yourself in the position to be around a number of people so there would be help readily available if something would happen.
A new clearinghouse designed to track missing adults in Nebraska was launched this month on the Nebraska State Patrol's Web site. Nebraska lawmakers created the Missing Person's Clearinghouse during the 2005 legislative session, with the passage of LB111.
The Nebraska State Patrol will serve as a central repository for information on missing persons. Information gathered is disseminated to assist law enforcement agencies, public and private organizations and the citizens of Nebraska in locating missing persons.
"The patrol has long maintained a database of missing children. The addition of missing adults will allow us to provide information for all Nebraska families searching for a missing loved one," said Col. Bryan Tuma, State Patrol superintendent.
The public can access information on missing persons in Nebraska by logging on to www.nsp.state.ne.us, clicking on "Programs/Services" in the left-hand menu column, then clicking on "NE Missing Persons."
The Nebraska Missing Persons Clearinghouse can be reached by calling (402) 479-4986 or (877) 441-LOST (5678).
Area missing persons cases in the news
Kearney teen Anne Sluti was 17 years old when she was abducted from a mall parking lot in Kearney on April 6, 2001. Witnesses reported the abduction to police. Sluti was held captive for six days by Anthony Zappa, also known as Anthony Steven Wright, a fugitive wanted for various crimes in five other states. Zappa surrendered after a 10-hour standoff with police at a remote cabin in Montana. He was sentenced in September 2002 to life in prison without parole. Sluti was returned safely to her family, and the story was featured on Court TV in 2004.
Jason Anthony Jolkowski of Omaha was 19 years old when he was reported missing. His whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance are still unknown. Jolkowski's grandparents live in Grand Island, and his story was featured on the Montel Williams show in November 2004.
Ord natives Michael Wamsley and Janelle Hornickel, both 20 and of Omaha, got lost in a blizzard in rural Sarpy County in January 2005 and died from exposure to the elements before they could be found. The couple made several calls to 911 for help on Jan. 5. Massive air and ground searches were conducted in the area near Gretna. Wamsley's body was found on Jan. 6, and Hornickel's was found on Jan. 12, at a sandpit southwest of Omaha. The story was featured on ABC's "Primetime Live" in March.
Central City High School graduate Kendra Benham left friends on Feb. 4, 2005, to attend a party near the Southeast Community College-Beatrice campus, where she was a first-year student. She was reported missing on Feb. 7 when she failed to show up for classes. Air and ground searches were conducted in Gage and Jefferson counties, and her body was found on Feb. 10, along with her pickup, in a ravine in Gage County. Her death was ruled an accident.
Bradley Petersen, 28, of Grand Island was reported missing on March 13, 2005, by his wife, who hadn't seen him since he left for work the day before. Authorities tried calling his cell phone, which hit off a tower in rural Howard County. Air and ground searches were conducted, and Petersen was found in his pickup in a Howard County field. He tried to elude law enforcement by driving through fields and pastures but eventually surrendered. A small amount of methamphetamine and marijuana was found in his truck, Nebraska State Patrol Capt. Chris Kolb said.
Jennifer Zachman, 22, of Indiana was reported missing on July 8, 2005. The search for her began on July 14, when a vehicle with Indiana plates was found abandoned and out of gas in Hamilton County. A check of the license plate indicated that Zachman was driving the car. Air and ground searches were conducted in the area, but Zachman was not located. She was found alive by a motorist on Aug. 11. She had apparently been living under an Interstate 80 bridge near Grand Island for weeks.
Gerald "Jerry" Gillming, 52, of Kearney was reported missing by his family on Oct. 21 after disappearing from a rural farm pasture northwest of Gibbon. Air and ground searches were conducted on Oct. 22 and 23, and Gillming was discovered alive in Kansas on Wednesday. Gillming initially said he was abducted by three men and put on a train but later recanted the story. He returned home late Wednesday night in good physical condition. The incident remains under investigation.
Still missing
Name: Jason Anthony Jolkowski
Classification: endangered missing adult
Alias/nickname: J.J.
Date of birth: June 24, 1981
Date missing: June 13, 2001
From city/state: Omaha (His grandparents live in Grand Island.)
Age at time of disappearance: 19
Gender: male
Race: white
Height: 6 feet 1 inch
Weight: 165 pounds
Hair color: brown
Eye color: brown
Complexion: light
Clothing: White Chicago Cubs or Sammy Sosa T-shirt, black dress pants, blue Cubs cap, dress shoes and also carrying red work shirt
Circumstances of disappearance: unknown. Jason was last seen bringing in garbage cans at his residence after pickup. He was leaving to meet a co-worker at the high school only eight blocks away to get a ride to work but never arrived. He has not accessed his bank account and has not cashed checks from his employer.
Investigative agency: Omaha Police Department
Phone: Call (402) 444-5657 if you have any information that may be helpful in this case.
