Silver Alert Canceled for Missing Phoenix Man

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Community vigilance is crucial in helping to locate missing persons.

News Summary

A Silver Alert issued for Samuel Hatcher, a 59-year-old man from Phoenix, was canceled after he was found safe and reunited with his family. Hatcher, who suffers from a medical condition that leads to confusion, was last seen early in the morning. In related news, authorities issued another Silver Alert for 73-year-old Terrence Flickinger, who went missing from Queen Creek. Additionally, the Arizona Legislature is considering a bill to reform the Silver Alert system to better help vulnerable individuals.

Phoenix – A Silver Alert issued for 59-year-old Samuel Hatcher was canceled on July 4, 2025, after he was safely reunited with his family. Hatcher, who has a medical condition that causes confusion, was last seen around 6 a.m. in south Phoenix, near 16th Street and Baseline Road.

According to the Phoenix Police Department, Hatcher is described as 5-foot-8 inches tall, weighs approximately 200 pounds, has a bald head, a gray beard, and brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a black T-shirt and black pants. The police confirmed that he was returned to his family by 2:12 PM on the same day of the alert.

On the same day, authorities released another Silver Alert for Terrence Flickinger, a 73-year-old man last seen on foot in Queen Creek. Flickinger was observed near Sossaman Road and Sun Dance Drive around 10 p.m. on June 30. He is also noted as being 5-foot-8 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds, with blond hair and hazel eyes. No clothing description was provided for him. The Queen Creek Police Department is urging anyone who may have information regarding Flickinger’s whereabouts to contact them at 480-358-3500 or dial 911.

On the same day, there were separate reports of a child who was hospitalized after being pulled from a pool in Scottsdale. Additionally, a couple from Maricopa County faced arrest for animal abuse when two of their three dogs died from starvation. The surviving dog has since been made available for adoption. Meanwhile, the Arizona Game and Fish Department issued safety tips to promote safe use of off-highway vehicles during the busy holiday weekend.

A more extensive discussion around Silver Alerts has emerged prompted by previous cases of missing individuals. Of note is a proposed House Bill 2894, aimed at reforming the existing Silver Alert system. This legislation seeks to expand eligibility criteria for Silver Alerts, allowing for quicker response when persons with disabilities are reported missing. The bill’s intention is to address existing gaps in the system where families have encountered difficulties in issuing alerts for their loved ones.

This proposed legislation stems from several tragic incidents that highlighted delays in search protocols for missing individuals with cognitive impairments. The Arizona House is scheduled to discuss the proposed changes on February 27. Current definitions of developmental disabilities that qualify include cognitive disabilities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down syndrome, and autism.

The issues highlighted by these recent events indicate a pressing need for improved measures in the handling of missing persons, particularly vulnerable populations. Authorities continuously remind the public of the importance of vigilance and quick reporting in aiding missing persons cases and encourage community cooperation in such situations.