On May 14, 2026, Bob set out for what should have been an ordinary walk through his Minneapolis neighborhood.
Instead, he became trapped in the cold, muddy waters of Shingle Creek, where every passing minute increased the danger of hypothermia.
After his wife reported him missing, the Minneapolis Police Department deployed a drone that was critical to saving Bob's life. Using thermal imaging, Officer Drew Clark located him stuck in the creek, allowing other first responders to rescue him within minutes. Watch the 1 minute and 3 second video about Bob's rescue and reunion with Officer Clark
The following story was written by Minneapolis resident Linda Stewart, who shares a firsthand recount reflecting on her husband Bob's rescue from Shingle Creek and the extraordinary response that saved his life.
Bob in Shingle Creek and the great efforts to rescue him
By Linda Stewart
On May 14, 2026, Bob S. took a walk in the neighborhood that he had lived in since 1991. The weather was typical for May in Minneapolis with temperatures up one day and down the next. This day was not unusually hot or cold, but the water in lakes and creeks was still very cool.
Typically, Bob and his wife walked together, but this was the exception. That day, Bob would find himself in Shingle Creek, and the cold water almost ended his life. While walking by the Creek, he heard water gushing, and then not, and then gushing again. He was curious as to where the water was coming from.
Between Humboldt and Lyndale Avenues, there are walking paths that are at street level and flank the Creek near Victory Memorial Drive. Bob had no intention of getting close to the water, but one of the paths went under a street. Following the path put him pretty close to the water, where the terrain on the side of the creek became very slippery. So started Bob’s ordeal. Bob’s foot slipped into the thick mud, and trying to free the first foot had both feet trapped. Being a former Marine, he was sure he could get out of the muck and water, but it wasn’t that easy. He pulled his feet out, leaving his shoes behind. And at this point, his clothes were pretty wet.
During that same time, Bob's wife became concerned with his absence. She logged a missing person report with the Minneapolis Police Department. While giving the details to the MPD, it just happened that another call regarding a shooting at a home down the street had brought 5-7 police cars to the neighborhood. When the wife completed her call and looked out the front door, she was very impressed with the MPD’s response time. The officers explained that the current response wasn’t there for her missing person, but that there would be help coming soon, and they were.
As Bob continued to look for an exit from the Creek, his clothes continued to stay wet and cold. Hypothermia was the greatest risk to Bob. This knowledge for the first responders was critical to Bob’s recovery.
When the MPD officers arrived at Bob’s home, they were able to extract whatever information would be helpful. A drone operator was brought into the search, and this step saved Bob’s life. Drone pictures provided to the family after his rescue showed how valuable this technology is – it was life-saving in this case.
The MPD’s drone operator was able to direct the searching officers to the point where the drone indicated a person / heat signature was moving. The officers were able to reach Bob and create a human chain to pull Bob out. At the same time, the North Memorial ambulance team arrived and was able to start emergency protocols and transport Bob to the closest hospital with a staff that knew how to treat hypothermia.
Bob believes his life and recovery are due to God first, and the incredibly talented employees in the MPD, and the dedicated medical staff at North Memorial.
In addition to Bob’s kudos, his wife thanks the wonderful support she got from the neighborhood. Teenagers were out running up and down streets to see if Bob might have taken a seat in someone’s yard. Also, the MPD search dogs team tracked Bob’s path to the Creek which ensured the drone coordinates were sending rescuers to the right area. Also greatly appreciated were the kind and concerned police staff that stood by for support with Bob’s wife, relaying information as it was learned.
It is also very affirming to see the drone video of Bob moving through the creek, looking for an exit point. When he saw the tree branches at the edge of the water, Bob tried to use the branches to pull himself out. Unfortunately, the branches were not “attached” to a tree, so as one branch was pulled on, it broke away from the tree line. Fortunately, that was exactly where the Police and Fire Departments rescue teams came to help him.
Bob’s recovery was a divine gift. We are so grateful for the drone program and the talented operator!!
Current drone use in Minneapolis
The Minneapolis Police Department's (MPD) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) – drone – program supports public safety by providing real-time information during police, medical, and fire incidents. This information helps first responders better understand what's happening, make faster decisions, deploy resources more effectively, and reduce risks to the public and emergency personnel.
Since the program began in 2022, all drone operations have followed MPD policy, Minnesota law, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.