Updated Aug. 1, 2026, at 8:28 a.m.
Mr. Calvert was found alive and is safe early Saturday morning, according to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office. He was located about half a mile from his home in a wooded area.
Sheriff Matt Gentry thanked the law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, community members, churches, volunteers and others who searched miles of difficult terrain for Calvert.
“Praise God, we are so thankful that Mr. Calvert has been located and is safe,” Gentry said. “This effort shows how truly special Cullman County is.”
Updated July 31, 2026, at 7:36 p.m.
Law enforcement said personnel will be on scene overnight and the foot search will begin again at 7 a.m. Saturday.
CULLMAN, Ala. – Local and state authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in locating an 85-year-old Cullman man who has been missing since Thursday, July 30. Ernest Gary Calvert, who suffers from dementia, left his residence on foot and was last seen at approximately 1 p.m. in the area of County Road 122, according to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.
The Cullman Police Department identified the search area as near Alabama Highway 69 and County Road 122.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued an active Missing and Endangered Person Alert for Calvert on July 30 at the request of the sheriff’s office.
ALEA stated that Calvert is believed to have a condition that may impair his judgment.
Calvert is described as a white male with white hair and blue eyes. He is approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs about 155 pounds. He was last seen wearing a T-shirt, brown shorts and brown shoes.
The Cullman Police Department said Friday morning that its Aviation Unit had been requested by the sheriff’s office to assist with the search.
“The Cullman Police Department will continue assisting our law enforcement partners throughout the search,” the department stated.
Cullman County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) officials are asking property owners in and around Dodge City, Good Hope, Crane Hill, Bremen, Bug Tussle and Cold Springs to check their properties for any sign of Calvert.
Property owners are asked to carefully inspect outbuildings, barns, sheds and other areas that may not be regularly visited or monitored.
Officials are also asking residents to review footage from game cameras and security cameras for anything that could assist investigators.
Anyone volunteering to participate in the search must check in at the command post before beginning. The command post is located on County Road 122 before the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office firing range.
Anyone who sees Calvert should call 911 immediately.
Those with information that could assist the search should contact the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office at 256-734-0342 or 256-735-2425.
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Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry said Friday morning, July 31: “The search has continued throughout the night and remains ongoing, with numerous local and state agencies working together in a coordinated effort.”
Gentry said resources deployed during the search include deputies, investigators, K-9 teams, drones and helicopters.
Responding agencies include the CCSO, CPD, ALEA, Cullman County EMA, several volunteer fire departments and other partner agencies, as well as residents.
“Our deputies, investigators and our partnering agencies have worked tirelessly throughout the night searching for Mr. Calvert,” Gentry said. “We are committed to doing everything possible to bring him home safely, and we appreciate the tremendous teamwork and dedication shown by everyone involved in this effort. We also ask our community to keep Mr. Calvert and his family in your prayers as the search continues.”
