Churchill County Sheriff recounts search and recovery of missing person

Monday, the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the family of Tod Cline that he was missing and that they had filed a report with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. Cline’s family provided CCSO with a copy of a homemade missing person flyer consisting of his picture, an image of his truck, additional identifying information and their contact information.

Later that afternoon, a representative from Union Pacific Railroad contacted the CCSO, advising us that they had seen the missing person’s flyer circulating around with the picture of Cline and his truck. The Union Pacific rep stated that on the afternoon of Nov. 14, they had observed a truck matching that description stuck in the sand bordering the railroad tracks approximately 10 miles east of Hazen.

Personnel from the CCSO, along with members from Churchill County Search and Rescue, responded to the area where the truck was reported to be. The truck was located and confirmed as belonging to Cline; however, he was not with the truck. Shoe impressions were located leaving the area. Deputies and search and rescue personnel followed the tracks and impressions until well into the early morning hours Nov. 19 when the tracks became too hard to follow in the dark.

Members of the sheriff’s office and volunteers resumed tracking at daybreak and around 11 a.m. located the body of Cline lying on a sand dune.

The investigation revealed that Cline’s vehicle became stuck in the sand prior to the afternoon of Nov. 14. He attempted unsuccessfully to dig out the vehicle and eventually abandoned the effort and began an attempt to walk out to find help.

The cause of death will be determined by the Washoe County Medical Examiner. No evidence of foul play was located or identified.

The sheriff extends his condolences to Tod Cline’s family and friends for the loss of their loved one. He would also like to issue a very heart felt thank you to the sheriff’s office personnel, search and rescue, U.S. Navy personnel from NAS Fallon, and all the volunteers who joined in the search or offered their services and time to locate Cline.