Los Alamos Police Department Sgt. Ben Irving and Detention Officer Gus L’Esperance wrap James Archuleta in an emergency blanket after he was located this morning on the South Pueblo Bench Trail. Photo by LAPD Deputy Chief Oliver Morris

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

The community is breathing a sigh of relief today following the announcement that James Archuleta, 50, has been located and is safe after he had been missing overnight from his Los Alamos home.

Los Alamos Deputy Police Chief Oliver Morris told the Los Alamos Reporter that LAPD was notified at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday that Archuleta had left Ridgeway Drive on foot and had not returned home. LAPD officers searched for Archuleta Sunday night and into the early hours of Monday morning without success, even using a drone with FLIR.

The search resumed early Monday with LAPD and Los Alamos Fire Department first responders assisting and while Deputy Chief Morris was out on the trail, LAPD received a call from a hiker who had seen Archuleta in that area had spoken to him, but had not been able to call LAPD until he got home from his hike. Morris found Archuleta cold and shivering and unable to walk so he carried him part along the trail where they were met by other first responders.

By 7:45 a.m. Archuleta was being treated by LAFD in an ambulance and he was subsequently transported to Los Alamos Medical Center for observation.

Deputy Chief Morris said searchers were relieved that Archuleta had been found safe and uninjured, particularly as temperatures locally dropped to the mid-30s.