GREENWICH, N.Y. – “Even though it’s a beautiful day, you’ve got one thing on your mind — to solve this mystery,” said Shane Armstrong.
Armstrong isn’t a police officer, or forest ranger, but he has put in more than 100 hours of his own time helping them look for Jaliek Rainwalker. He owns a special type of boat that can float on rivers without disrupting the water, allowing him and the rangers to search debris that has washed up near the shore.
NYS Forest Ranger Lieutenant John Solan said, “It’s basically a new river, so anything that was searched last fall has to be searched again because the river changes, trees fall in the river.”
Amstrong has let the forest rangers use his boat since the beginning of the search effort in early November. He works in a nearby school district and has taken off time from work to do this.
“It really does bother you because he went to school where I work in Salem, and you can see it in the teachers. It really bothers everyone,” he said.
The New York State Forest Rangers are also using their training classes to help with the search effort. Throughout the week, trainees will be using this real-life case as part of their education.
Solan said, “This time we have real clues and a real person to look for.”
Armstrong said he’ll be out here again because the questions about what happened to Jaliek tug at him every day.
“It bugs you to think that I can go home to my family and my two little kids, and it’s hard to think that somewhere out there, there’s a 12-year-old boy who isn’t home yet. It gets to you,” he said.
I read this article earlier today. You know I live in Florida and I can’t wait till May or June so TES can come find out boy.
Comment by jtazzy — April 8, 2008 @ 9:02 pm |
Hats off to Mr. Armstrong! He’s very generous to donate his time like this. Hopefully everyone will be able to get out there and do some more searching. It’s been nice the past couple of days but we’re looking at rain for the weekend. The Great Northeast! HA!
Comment by Kim — April 9, 2008 @ 2:11 pm |