King County Search Dogs

August 2008

5-Aug-08
08-ES-040
Lake Wilderness
1230 callout for evidentiary trail. We deployed one trailing team, having responded with 4 personnel total. A 48 yo female was discovered in Lake Wilderness, near the docks, by a passerby mid-morning when the passerby noted a light in the water. Her vehicle had been in the parking lot since before 2300 hrs the night before. Based on a note and clues at the scene, it was determined to be a suicide. KCSO wanted a trail to verify the route the victim took. Dog 2 worked a trail from the vehicle to the dock, where Trulee showed interest in the life-guard's chair and the general area around the chair. The team later learned that she had been located near the life-guard's chair. (8.5 hrs)

12-Aug-08
08-2574
Kent
0030 callout for missing 76 yo female Alz pt. We responded with 6 personnel. The subject was last seen at 1730 hrs the day before at her residence. She had a recent history of walking away, having done so 3 times in the previous month. Just as we were preparing to deploy an airscent team at the residence, the subject was located in a backyard 4 blocks from her residence. She got into the backyard but was unable to get out. She was a former KCSO employee and knew the deputies. She was fitted with a PLS bracelet before we left that morning. (14.5 hrs)

17-Aug-08
08-2645
Deception Lake, Steven's Pass
1800 callout for injured hiker near Deception Lake, Steven's Pass. We deployed four personnel into the field, having responded with 5 members total. The subject had set off his SPOT beacon with a "Help" message. Teams were dispatched to his location from the end of the 6830 road. When the first team arrived at the transmitted location, he was not there. The team continued to locate (wake-up) and interview hikers establishing a direction of travel and general route taken. A different team provide a trail block near Trap Lake (appropriately named) and the healthy subject walked up to them. First mission with a SPOT beacon and lots to learn about the data transmitted, false transmissions and working to get data from the company. (50.5 hrs)

21-Aug-08
08-2724
Denny Creek
1430 callout for 2 teenage males caught in ice cave collapse along Denny Creek. We deployed four members into the field, having responded with 7 personnel total. The youths were on a family outing when an ice cave (arch) they had entered collapsed. Our teams assisted with equipment on scene, while fire used chain saws to extricate the boys. They were pulled out nearly 5 hours after the collapse. (39 hrs)

23-Aug-08
8-ES-0045
Grayland, Grays Harbor County
0800 start for planned evidence search in Grayland, Grays Harbor County. We deployed six cadaver dog teams, having responded with 10 personnel total. A homicide resulted in the arms and legs cut off the victim, 10 days prior to this search. These limbs were subsequently "grabbed" by wildlife, presumably bears. The area was searched, but nothing was located. The area was thick with brush and difficult to search thoroughly. (156.5 hrs)

24-Aug-08
08-2757
Middle Fork
2115 hrs callout for an overdue party of 12 boy scouts + 3. We responded with 6 personnel, most of whom were turned-around enroute. They were 6 hours overdue on 4 day hike from Alpentl to Cripple Creek on the Middle Fork. Their route was blocked by a trail washout and had to find a new route. They were located in a car on the way out as 4x4 was on the way in. All boys had a great time and were happy; largest concern was what was open in North Bend for eating. (4 hrs)

28-Aug-08
08-2808
Mt. Si
1330 callout for injured hiker at the summit of Mt. Si. We deployed two members to assist in the field, having responded with 5 personnel total. The subject fell off the Haystack while descending, tumbling an estimated 150-ft before stopping. He had fatal head injuries. (19 hrs)

Click to continue to September 2008 missions.