RAPID CITY, S.D. (Press Release) – South Dakota Civil Air Patrol (CAP) joined the search today for a woman missing in Day County. Amy Dougherty was last seen when she left for work Wednesday afternoon, driving in blizzard conditions from Andover to Bristol. She was driving a black Chevy Trailblazer. CAP involvement was requested by the Day County Sheriff’s Department via the South Dakota Department of Emergency Management.

“Our Civil Air Patrol aircraft flew route and grid searches and concentrated on areas that previous searchers from the roads may not have been able to see,” said Lt. Col. Todd Epp, CAP, incident commander for CAP’s part of the search.  “Our aircrews are trained to do visual searching, so South Dakota CAP is well-suited to this kind of search.”

Epp noted that South Dakota CAP, known as South Dakota Wing, coordinated specific areas searched today with the Day County Sheriff’s Department, which has overall authority over the missing person search.

Civil Air Patrol is assisting with the search in its role as the U.S. Air Force auxiliary, part of the Air Force program to support civil authorities to save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage and provide humanitarian assistance. In addition to the aircrew, other South Dakota CAP members assist with mission planning and logistical support.

South Dakota Wing is prepared to do additional search sorties if requested by the sheriff’s department, weather permitting.

South Dakota CAP has aircraft and aircrews located in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, Spearfish, Pierre and Brookings. The wing can deploy its six aircraft, ground teams, and small search drones to assist in emergency response and other support to local, state, tribal and federal agencies. South Dakota CAP has over 400 members in units in Sioux Falls, Tea, Brookings, Mitchell, Miller, Pierre, Rapid City, Spearfish and Custer.

Anyone with information relevant to the search should contact the Day County Sheriff’s Office at 605-940-3208.