Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

If this wasn't a police officer, do you think they'd call out 250 professionals to conduct a search? I think not. Even if you called to report your toddler missing, I can't imagine they'd put out that type of search team.

Have they searched the local Dunkin Donuts yet?

There has to be more to this story than we're being told. No name given, and asking people NOT to help? Does he have his gun with him, or do they think he does?

I believe there Would be the same response no matter who it was. My husband is a volunteer rescue worker in Glocester and has been on several searches for an assortment of people that get lost in these deep parks.

I still feel bad,for I hate to see anyone go missing,an dyes if it was just ordinary person they would not have 250 searching,i do hop ethey find him,also I am from Greenville and Harmony,so sur ehope it is no one i know,sure miss living up there,florida is rotten ,hot unfriendly place to live,want out but houses selling to cheap so stuck here for awhile.good luck in their search.

Actually, this is not the police calling out anyone. These are volunteers...and yes, this many people do volunteer as well for a child. Show some compassion. Stop being a hater.

Clearly you know nothing about emergency services Bobby G. When you have spent 5 days in the woods searching for an alzheimer's patient, try again.

You are right, Bobby G - if he weren't a cop, we wouldn't have even heard about this; nevermind a crew of 250 tax-payer paid professional search team. Aren't there established protocols on when and how extensive/expensive of a search is performed? Were they followed in this case?

Bobby G: Unfortunately you are correct. They would say "it's too expensive"...

Hey insensitive Bobby G:

Read it again 250 VOLUNTEERS. I am also a police officer and on my off hours will help anyway I can at my own time and expense. You don't have to like or respect what we do but we are on our own time. Let your politics stay out of it while VOLUNTEERS search, and yes I can assure yes assure you of the same response if a child was missing with the same circumstances. Sleep well tonight dion't worry thanking us, we help you no matter what you think.

It seems foolish not to identify a missing person, perhaps if they released his name anyone who saw him the past 2 days would notify authorities.

If you want to know why our society is falling to pieces and why our crime rates are so high just read these postings! You should all be ashamed of yourselves! This is a human being missing! These types of searches have been done for others before, there are no special consideration going on here. If you want somehting to complain about how about the fact that people are out there dying for our freedom and yet all that's on the news is a stupid story about Kanye West and the VMA's...Ridiculous!

Out for a jog and doesn't come back. It could have been a heart attack. It happened to a co-worker where I work. He had no ID on him when it happened it took several days to find out who he was and contact a family member and he was on a main road.

It's so hard to read some of these comments and know we are surrounded by individuals who actually think like they state. Identity will be released WHEN it's appropriate. Vounteers !! Please realize you have true support & prayers
from so many.

A couple of quick comments, if your toddler was missing in the woods there would be as many if not more volunteers looking for the missing child. As has been stated, these are VOLUNTEERS. There are some on duty personnel involved, but these are usually the officers in charge. It doesn't matter who it is, it matters that someone is lost in the woods and possibly injured. The reason they don't want the public involved is that over the years law enforcement has learned that mobs of untrained concerned citizens can actually hinder the search. These teams are trained to search a particular way and to look for clues in the process. Someone inadvertantly trampling on a clue only makes the job harder. I don't understand why people have to make judgement calls before they know the facts. I am sure the missing officer's family and friend don't need the negative comments, they need support.

Yes, that's right, release His name and allow my family members who have been unreacheable still to hear that He is missing in the news.

It is hard enough to be 900 miles away, come here to find any possible information and scan through posts written by y'all, some of who are deeply cynical and disrespectful.

I suppose it would be a much different story if it was your brother out there, possibly hurt, injured, or worse.

I dearly hope that your homes are never broken into or that you never need the services of your local police dept--ALL of whom place their lives in danger for anyone in need. Just like my brother has done for 20 plus years.

Bravo Scott!! Bobby G..I'm not a cop but agree with Scott who is. Hopefully you never need their assistance in finding a loved one who has gone missing. Shame on you.

It is shocking how ignorant some people can be. Are you even reading the article... VOLUNTEERS... they are not getting paid nor are they being called out.

And to make a joke and say have they checked the Dunkin Donuts. If the worst happens and he turns out deceased... I wonder if you would say that joke to his childerns faces?

This is pathetic behavior from a few people who obviously dont like the police or what they do to protect and serve others.

I really hope you guys who are making jokes and sarcastic comments are not adults. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Scott,

You didn't read the article. Here is a portion of the FIRST SENTENCE: "Some 250 volunteer and on-duty police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel".

See the part about "and on-duty..."?!

There is nothing to debate here. Are there written protocols on when and how extensive of a tax-payer funded search to deploy? If not, why not? If so, were those protocols followed here. Period - end of story.

Its amazing to me that people like BobbyG, Steve and Latin exist in this world. Please post a picture, so just in case you go missing I know not to VOLUNTEER to search for you. People like you would be better off lost in the woods, seeing as your sense of decency is already there.

Bobby G...for your information...

I seem to remember in 2006 when a mother went missing from a camp ground in South Kingstown, and just as many paid/volunteer people searching for this mother. I also remember that the South Kingstown Police Department rented a helicopter to search the area for hours. There were firefighters in boats checking the local ponds as well as people searching the local woods. So, yes, the response would be the same. I know, I am sure you are just mad because you were arrested without cause and the drugs werent yours. Oh yea, the missing mother was found several days later, I think in Las Vegas, after she decided to leave her husband. She found out about the search on the news while she was in vegas and contacted her family.

Prayers and thoughts for all involved in trying to
be of help in this sad time.
Pauline Calabro, former Smithfield Police Officer
St. Cloud, and Key West, Florida

To Julie: I am praying (truly) they find your brother very soon and that he is okay. There will always be people in this world who are unkind; don't listen to them. Know that there are far more people who also hope and pray your brother is alright.

Most of these comments are from idiots! These are VOLUNTEERS not paid. Most are doing it because it is one of their brothers in trouble. We care for our own!1

This is what happens when people are uninformed. My husband happens to be one of those VOLUNTEERS out looking for this person right now. He took today off from work as soon as he heard the search would resume today. He was also out yesterday from about 6:00 A.M. until they called off the search just around dusk. So people, PLEASE stop criticizing a situation most of you know nothing about.

Julie, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. I have been in law enforcement for 5 years and have several family members in law enforcement as well. I have learned the hard way that there will always be unkind and hurtful people in the world. Don't listen to them. They speak only for themselves. I hope and pray your brother is found soon and that he is safe and unharmed. You are not alone in this. You have a whole "family" of officers, firefighters etc around you. God bless!

my thoughts and prayers go out to the missing officer and his family. The world has come to a sad state when I read comments like those stated above. Where has the deceny and regard for human life gone to. I agree with THE DEAL, all you insensitive idiots should post pictures so that if the time comes and you need help I will know not to volunteer to help since you have such a disrespect for life... Julie- I hope that they find your brother soon and well. Your family and brother are in our prayers. Do not listen to the idiots not everyone in this world is so cold!

I personally know all those people in the picture given. They would give the shirts off their backs for people. They always volunteer and always give of themselves. They are on their own time. God bless them, I wish I could be one of them. Hope they find the guy in good health, if not at least recover the body. Good luck and stay safe.

Michael I am praying for your safe return. To the Hopton family my heart and prayers go out to you at this very difficult time. Please know that Michael and his family are in my heart at this very sad time. And to all you others who have nothing good to say...Dont say ANYTHING!!!!!!!

Bobby G. I hope you or one of your loved ones gets lost one day and there are just as many people searching for them. These are volunteers they want to help because they have a heart not like you. And unless you know what you are talking about keep your ignorant stupid comments to yourself. *Praying for Officer Hopton*

I knew him personally, he was a really great guy with a lot of wisdom and kept me out of trouble.
he did alot for the school. i went to , and had his own group STARS I pray to god hes okay.

Nearly every time I read comments following a story, I'm reminded NOT to read the comments section in the future. Just too many insensitive morons who don't have a clue. They should stick to pitching pennies on their neighborhood corner. Probably the only thing they're halfway good at.

Most state or local cops become cops because they want control and power. I am so sick of any cop saying they do the job because they want to serve. So now that we cleared that up, if this was a child missing yes, you would see as many people doing this search. And if it was a adult, well you might not see this big of a reaction. I am just glad I went Federal!

Julie,

Your focus should be on finding your brother. Don't waste precious time by coming here commenting on how disrespectful someone is. I know how guarded we can be when it comes to our loved ones but replying to some of the comments here is not helping your situation right now.

Good luck and God Bless.

to all the ignorant people. What has happened in your life, for you to be so negative and bitter. May your children and/or the people you come in contact with not be affected by your negativity.
My thoughts and prayers to this gentleman and his family.

God Bless this officer and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you for a safe return. I cannot even imagine the way the family feels at this time... And to those of you who have posted nasty, negative comments, you should be ashamed of yourselves. There's a life lesson you might want to learn: IF YOU DONT HAVE SOMETHING NICE TO SAY DONT SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!

I went to school at Ponaganset last year when Hopkin was there, and he was the most respectful, down to earth cop I have ever met

Some of the comments are pretty cruel....how about a prayer for the family and I'll say one for the haters on here too.

I can't beleive what I am reading! Some of you people are idiot's! What you are looking at in this pic. is a fraction of the 100% volunteer search & rescue team from the Dept. Of Corrections. I am on this team and I myself along with many, many others was on my own time. We all use our own vacation & personal time to do these searches and or training! Thats more time away from my family & loved one's. Not to mention the crazy hour's on-duty that most people woulden't do! But even though I read all these idiotic comments it woulden't stop me from showing up to look for your loved one's if they turn out missing! Yes, even you (Bobby G.,Steve & Latin)I'd show up for 0 on Christmas day!

P.S. Scott, Yes all protocalls were followed! Is there a price on your loved ones!

As a resident of Glocester, I'm saddened to hear that one of our officers is missing. I'm also very disgusted with most of these posts which are very disrespectful. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I hope they find him soon and he is well. If there was anything I could do, I would be more then happy to help. These people are out there searching, and most of you are sitting here typing away critizing those who are out there searching. If this is what some of my tax dollars are going towards, I'm proud of that. But these are volunteers also doing things on their own time. So chill, be respectful. Family shouldn't have to come on here and read comments like this when looking for information about their loved one because they live far away. Again my thoughts and prayers are with Officer Michael Hopton's family!

1 well trained tracking dog could have found him the first day. Before they removed the vehicle and trampled the search area with 200 ground pounders.

I am totally appalled at the nasty comments made by some readers. If we all respected our law enforcement and taught our children respect as well, perhaps we'd not be needing them so much. As it is, imagine the agony of the family of this officer--how horrible for them. As far as using resources, I know that if I ever got lost or one of my loved ones got lost, I can count on all the help of all resources to find us/them! Thank you to all the volunteers and I hope those nasty readers/commenters never need anyone to help or find them! Also, we need to keep in our prayers and thoughts--the family of this man--they will need all our thoughts through this!

To Steve R. Obviously you didn't read correctly. These are men and women who are volunteering their time to search. They are not being paid on the taxpayers dime. Some of you readers need to stop with the police jokes. These same men and women would be volunteering and looking for you child should this happen to you. You've obviously had run in's with the law and are negative hateful people but give it a rest. This is a man who is missing. Show some compassion. Remember the old saying....what goes around comes around. You never know when you might need the same kind of help.