Ohio Gov. Recognizes Residents Who Responded to AMBER Alerts

Governor Taft today recognized two Ohioans who were instrumental in the safe recovery of missing or abducted chidren during remarks at the National AMBER Alert Conference in Columbus.

"We have seen first hand that the AMBER Alert system in Ohio works," Taft said. "Thankfully, every AMBER Alert activated in Ohio has resulted in the safe recovery of the missing or abducted children. I encourage Ohioans to continue their vigilance and work with law enforcement in responding to activated AMBER Alerts."

Taft recognized Paul Bursey and Dan Ellis, whose response to AMBER Alerts resulted in the successful recovery of missing or abducted children. Mr. Bursey called 911 when he spotted a vehicle matching a description off an AMBER Alert message displayed on an Ohio Department of Transportation freeway sign. Bursey's call lead to the abductor's arrest and the successful recovery of three Miamisburg, Ohio children. Mr. Ellis saw an AMBER Alert on TV for a 15-year-old boy from Sidney, Ohio. Mr. Ellis memorized the details of the suspect and the vehicle. Later at a gas station, Ellis saw a suspect and vehicle matching the AMBER Alert description and he called police who recovered the teenager and arrested the suspect.

Two years ago, Taft charged the AMBER Plan Task Force to develop recommendations for implementing Ohio's statewide AMBER alert system. An outgrowth of that effort was the creation of the AMBER Alert Steering Committee on January 1, 2003. Since then, Ohio has issued 25 AMBER alerts at the local, regional or statewide level - all resulting in the safe return of 30 children.