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Retired Lakeland deputy police chief with Alzheimer’s found safe at St. Pete WaWa

Retired deputy chief Clarence Grier had been missing since Wednesday afternoon.
Retired Lakeland deputy chief Clarence Grier has been missing since Wednesday afternoon. [Polk County Sheriff's Office]
Retired Lakeland deputy chief Clarence Grier has been missing since Wednesday afternoon. [Polk County Sheriff's Office]
By Chris Tisch
Published Dec. 13, 2019
Updated Dec. 13, 2019

A retired deputy police chief from Lakeland who has dementia and Alzheimer’s was found safe on Friday at a St. Petersburg WaWa.

Retired Lakeland deputy chief Clarence Grier had been missing since Wednesday afternoon. He was last seen about 4:30 p.m. that day leaving a residence near West Eighth Street in Lakeland in a pickup.

The truck was seen north of Ocala at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday morning. The truck at that time was traveling north on Jacksonville Road at County Road 326.

Polk officials launched a search for Grier. They released no other details Friday other than saying he had been found safe at a St. Petersburg WaWa and was “safe and sound.”

  • Chris Tisch - Senior Digital Editor, Audience and Engagement
    Chris Tisch

    Senior Digital Editor, Audience and Engagement

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