State police say missing Pennsylvania man was trying to rescue dog during flood

Authorities have released the identity of a Tioga County man who was still missing Friday after heavy rains triggered flooding in much of the region Aug. 9.

Pennsylvania State Police at Mansfield identified the missing person as David Murdock, 65, of Knoxville.

Murdock was last seen around 1:30 p.m. Aug. 9 on state Route 249 in Deerfield Township in northern Tioga County, according to a state police flyer.

Murdock was reportedly trying to rescue a dog that was trapped in rising flood waters on Troups Creek before he was swept downstream as the water levels and current increased within minutes, state police said.

That was around the time heavy rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby caused flooding along the Cowanesque Valley and elsewhere, inundating Knoxville, Westfield, Harrison Valley and other communities with water.

Troups Creek flows south and merges into the Cowanesque River, which then flows east into Cowanesque Lake.

Since his disappearance, hundreds of volunteers have joined the searched for Murdock without success.

Murdock is described as about six feet tall and 200 pounds, with graying hair, bald on top, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing an orange t-shirt, gray shorts, black muck boots and a white baseball cap.

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Murdock is a lifelong resident of the Knoxville area, a graduate of Elmira College and was a financial officer at the former Westfield Tannery, according to longtime friend and fellow Elmira College alumnus Bob Rogers.

Murdock is also very involved in community activities and always willing to help people, Rogers said.

"He'd walk up and talk to anybody," he said. "He was on a mission to get money for causes. He had purpose. He wanted to do the right thing to help people."

The Knoxville-Deerfield Volunteer Fire Co. also issued a statement on behalf of the Murdock family, expressing gratitude for the countless hours many organizations and volunteers have invested in the search.

"The outpouring of love and support that our family has received has been uplifting and overwhelming. We are grateful for this amazing community," the statement said. "We ask for your continued prayers and support as the search continues."

Anyone who has information about Murdock's whereabouts is asked to contact the Pennsylvania State Police Mansfield barracks at 570-662-2151, or call 911.

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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: State police say missing Pennsylvania man was trying to rescue dog during flood