09/16/2026
Please share! Let's get him home!
𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 – 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 “𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆” 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿 - 𝟵/𝟭𝟲/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at approximately 10:44 a.m., Farmington Police Department was notified of a missing elderly male, David Coulter, who goes by “Barry” Coulter. Barry has dementia and other health conditions. Barry’s wife advised officers that she last saw him at approximately 3:00 a.m. in the kitchen of their residence. When she awoke later Tuesday morning, she discovered that Barry was missing.
Farmington Police immediately searched Barry’s residence and outbuildings on the property but could not locate him. Officers then spent the next several hours searching known locations throughout the Farmington area where Barry was known to frequent.
During the search, Barry was entered into LEADS as a Missing Endangered Person and was later entered into the Silver Alert database through the Illinois State Police. Farmington Police also began social media outreach seeking information about Barry’s whereabouts. This resulted in several tips, including information that Barry was reportedly seen on N. West Street during the late morning or early afternoon hours by a mowing crew.
After exhausting the department’s available resources, Farmington Police contacted the Fulton County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency for assistance. At the same time, resources from the Farmington Fire Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, and Canton Police Department were called to the command post set up at City Hall in Farmington. Search teams went door to door in a 5-block area; thermal imaging from air resources covered a 2-mile perimeter around Farmington, and search teams drove into nearby Counties looking for Barry. Additionally, hospitals in Peoria, Fulton, and Knox Counties were contacted to see if anyone matching Barry’s description had been admitted to their facility.
Unfortunately, extensive ground and aerial searches did not locate Barry.
As of September 16, 2026, the Farmington Police Department continues its active search for Barry. Drone resources from nearby agencies and other community partners are actively participating in ongoing search efforts.
Residents and business owners who live in or around the Farmington area are encouraged to regularly check their property, including outbuildings, sheds, barns, and garages. Rural property owners are encouraged to check trail cams. Barry was last seen wearing dark-colored pants, a dark plaid T-shirt, and mismatched shoes.
Farmington Police Department would like to thank the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Fulton County ESDA, Illinois State Police, Illinois State Police Air Operations, Canton Police Department, Farmington Fire Department, Avon Police Department, Elmwood Police Department, The Salvation Army, and the numerous local citizens who assisted with the search for Barry.
Anyone with information about Barry’s whereabouts or who believes they may have seen him is encouraged to contact the Farmington Police Department at 309-245-2426 or 911.
