Rikers Island Correction Officer From Mount Vernon Reported Missing
Correction Officer Ken Smith, who works at Rikers Island, was reported missing by his wife. He was last heard from on Dec. 7, 2016.
Mount Vernon – Mount Vernon police and family members are searching for NYS Corrections Officer Ken Smith from Mount Vernon, who never made it to Rikers Island, where he worked for 20 years, on Wednesday.
Smith, 53-year-old father of two apparently had been sick all week, and was returning to work. Authorities say they are also concerned because Smith was carrying a firearm at the time of his disappearance.
His wife told News 12 that Smith left from the Mount Vernon West train station to head to work on Wednesday afternoon. She says when she spoke to him, he had gotten on the wrong bus and sounded confused. He told her he was taking the E train at Queens Plaza, but the conversation abruptly ended when his phone died.
Department of Corrections Commissioner Joseph Pointe said in a statement that his agency is working with all others in an effort to locate Smith.
“We are very concerned about our missing officer,” Pointe said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and we pray for his safe and speedy return. We are working with other law enforcement agencies and pursuing every lead to locate him as soon as possible.”
Smith was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, navy blue work pants, black sneakers, a black cap and a blue New York Giants jacket.
Police are now asking the community for help, and anyone with information about Smith or his whereabouts are being asked to contact Det. Burnett at the Mount Vernon Police Department by calling (914) 665-2510.
Smith has worked with the DOC since 1996.
Stay tuned to BW for more on this developing story!
I pray they find him soon Healthy and alive.