About Search and Rescue

It is the policy of the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office to conduct all search and rescue operations in a manner that promotes public safety.  Any lost person complaint received by the agency will be treated with the highest priority.  The Search and Rescue team consist of members of the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, utilizing outside agencies and resources when and if needed.

Drone Team

A contingent of the Search and Rescue team is our Drone Team.  The Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office utilizes Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, commonly known as drones to assist in a search for a missing person or persons.

Drones are invaluable in locating missing persons, especially in difficult-to-reach or vast areas. Their aerial perspective and advanced imaging capabilities can significantly speed up search efforts. Drones can monitor large events, traffic situations, or crime scenes, providing real-time data and reducing the risk to officers.

They have high-resolution cameras and sensors on drones can capture detailed images and videos of crime scenes, aiding in the accurate collection and preservation of evidence. In the event of natural disasters, drones can assess damage, locate victims, and deliver critical supplies, ensuring a more effective response.

The Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement operations, ultimately contributing to the safety and security of the community.

K-9 Rosco

Rosco is a three-year-old Bloodhound who is trained to assist the Sheriff’s Office with missing persons. 

Bloodhounds have an exceptional sense of smell that allows them to detect human scent over vast distances and in challenging environments. Rosco and his handler undergo rigorous training honing in those skills making them indispensable when it's time to be activated to locate a missing person.

K-9 units have an extraordinary sense of smell, allowing them to track and locate missing persons or suspects more quickly and efficiently than human searchers alone. SAR K-9s are versatile because they are trained for a variety of missions, including locating missing children, tracking fugitives, finding lost hikers, and detecting human remains.

 K-9s can cover large areas much faster than human search teams, which is crucial in time-sensitive situations like missing person cases or disaster response. The keen senses of K-9s increase the likelihood of successful searches, reducing the time and resources needed for search operations and improving outcomes. K-9s can navigate and search through rough or dense terrain where it may be challenging or dangerous for humans to operate.

 The presence of a SAR K-9 unit can reassure the community that the sheriff's office has advanced resources to handle emergencies, thereby enhancing public trust and confidence. Overall, K-9 Rosco is a critical asset for the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, significantly contributing to the effectiveness and efficiency of search and rescue operations and enhancing public safety.