In today’s social media world, it’s easy to get caught up in emotional posts — especially those that seem urgent or dangerous. One such fake post recently made the rounds on Facebook, claiming that a female police officer from Nacogdoches, Texas, was missing and in need of immediate medical attention. The post looked serious, but the truth behind it is far different.
What the Fake Facebook Post Claimed
The viral Facebook post claimed that an officer named Cunningham from the Nacogdoches Police Department had gone missing and was in extreme danger. It included a photo of a woman in a police uniform and urged people to share the post quickly, saying she needed help.
But none of it was true.
The Real Story Behind the Photo
The photo used in the scam was actually taken from a 2015 post by the Great Falls Police Department in Montana. The woman in the picture is Master Police/K9 Officer Katie Cunningham, who was congratulated in that post for becoming their first female firearms instructor.
She is not connected in any way to the Nacogdoches Police Department, and no officer by that name or description is missing.
What the Nacogdoches Police Department Says
To clear the confusion, the Nacogdoches Police Department (NPD) shared a post on their official Facebook page, explaining how the hoax works and how to spot similar scams in the future. Here’s what they clarified:
- No police officer from NPD is missing.
- The information in the viral post is completely false.
- The person in the photo is not associated with NPD.
- The uniform in the photo is not a Nacogdoches PD uniform.
- Silver Alerts are meant for missing elderly or cognitively impaired individuals, not police officers.
The Same Scam in Different Cities
This is not the first time this fake story has circulated. The same photograph and false claim have been used in similar posts across other towns and police departments, trying to trick people into sharing them. These hoax posts sometimes include malicious links that could harm your device or steal your personal information.
Don’t Fall for It: Tips to Stay Safe Online
If you come across emotional or urgent missing person posts on Facebook, pause before sharing. Always double-check the source. Look for:
- Official confirmation from a police department’s verified page
- Clear details with valid contact numbers
- Matching uniforms and badge information
- No spelling errors or strange website links
A Real Event Did Happen in Nacogdoches
Interestingly, just a day before this hoax appeared, a real earthquake hit Nacogdoches on Friday, March 28, 2025. That news was confirmed and very real — unlike the made-up story of the missing officer.