Body Cam Shows Moment K-9 Led Deputy To Missing Man: Sheriff

BEECHER, IL — A scent kit provided by the family of a missing 73-year-old man proved absolutely crucial in leading police to him, the Will County Sheriff's Department said Friday.

James Sujka was reported missing Thursday morning, and as police searched on foot and by air, it was the department's canine officer who came through in bringing him home safe.

Sujka—who does not speak—was found late Thursday night, in a dense cornfield in Beecher. His scent, given to the department in a scent preservation kit, drew K-9 Officer Lizzy to him.

"The location of Mr. Sujka in a cornfield was so dense that multiple drones, officers on foot, multiple vehicles, and even a helicopter with heat-sensitive capabilities, were unsuccessful," the department said Friday. "The success of locating Mr. Sujka was due to the use of a Scent Preservation Kit that the family provided to our K-9 handler, Deputy Marty Stortz and his K-9 Lizzy, who is specifically trained to locate missing persons by their unique scent."

In 2020, the sheriff's department began the free scent kit program. Scent kits are used to collect and preserve an at-risk person's unique scent for up to 10 years in case an incident occurs.

"This quick and easy task gives responding K-9's a head start during a missing persons search," the department said. "This means K-9 handlers do not have to go through multiple articles of clothing that may be contaminated with others within the household's scent to determine whose scent is actually on the article."

In body cam footage shared Friday, officers are heard calling out to Sujka as they navigate through cornstalks. Lacking an ability to call out, Sujka's safety was hinged on officers using all tools available to find him.

"It is emotional to see, but we felt that sharing it will assist you in understanding the importance of taking the steps to contact us and receive a free scent kit," the department wrote.

Scent kits are provided to those who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's, autism or other disabilities who are at risk of wandering off. Anyone wishing to receive a scent kit should contact the department at freescentkit@willcosheriff.org.

"This easy and necessary kit can literally save a life."