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VIENNA -- It's been about a week since a search for a missing teenager resulted in him being returned to his family, safe and sound, and Vienna officials showed their appreciation to the entities that helped make it possible.
Trustees at Monday's meeting approved a resolution of gratitude to all agencies, first responders, volunteers, businesses and organizations, as well as community members, who helped during their search for 17-year-old Landyn Zagorski.
According to the resolution, more than 50 personnel were present and actively assisting with the search operation, which began Aug. 11 after he was last seen Aug. 9.
First responders eventually found Zagorski in an RV near a barn fire that the fire department responded to on an adjacent property 100 yards behind his home on Thursday.
The resolution states that officials wish to formally recognize and express appreciation to the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office and the Liberty, Fowler, Howland and Niles police departments for their assistance, cooperation, administrative support and personnel provided throughout the operation.
Officials recognized 15 Trumbull County fire departments, such as Girard, Mecca, Southington and Gustavus, as well as other public safety personnel, granting special recognition to Trumbull County 911, the Trumbull County Emergency Management Agency and Director John Hickey for equipment, manpower, expertise and coordination.
They also recognized the Vienna Community Action Committee and Facebook pages, community groups and organizations that helped increase public awareness and spread information, as well as township and nearby residents that assisted with the search by walking through woods, fields and other areas, gathering supplies and sharing information.
"The cooperation, dedication, generosity and selflessness demonstrated during this operation serve as a powerful example of what can be accomplished," The resolution states. "When law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, volunteers, businesses, organizations and members of the community work toward a common mission."
The resolution will be sent out to the entities recognized as a permanent expression of the township's gratitude.
Trustee Mike Haddle also expressed appreciation to police Chief Dan Adkins, former Chief Brian Darbey and fire Chief Gus Birch for their work, too.
Trustee Phil Pegg admitted he was surprised at the number of phone calls officials received, from noticing a chair in the woods to tennis shoes near Warren Sharon Road.
"From the picture, he had black tennis shoes -- we got a call that there was a dark pair of tennis shoes lying next to the ditch," Pegg said. "Brian immediately went down -- they turned out to be green, but people were looking, and that shows a lot."