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Virginia Sheriffs’ Association
The Voice of Virginia’s Sheriffs & Deputies

On May 23rd, 2018 the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office K9 Team of Lieutenant Patrick Sheridan and K9 Bloodhound Rizzo were presented with a lifesaving award by the Virginia Bloodhound Search and Rescue Association, at its annual event held at the National Beagle Club in Loudoun County.

On August 16, 2017 Lt. Sheridan and K9 Rizzo were requested by the Charlottesville Police Department to assist in locating a disabled, missing and possibly suicidal 49-year-old female that had walked off from a church event.  She was both deaf and blind and had a history of suicide attempts and had not taken required medications.

A scent article (pillow) was obtained from a caretaker, and Lt. Sheridan and K9 Rizzo started a trail from the point where she was last seen at the church.   After working from the church parking lot, north on Cherry Ave into a residential area and through a US Army Recruiting Center.  K9 Rizzo trailed south along a fence and wood line, to a subdivision.  K9 Rizzo trailed to an area near the 900 block of Rainier Rd, where Lt. Sheridan heard a noise and then a faint yell coming from within the woods.   The missing endangered female was located about ten to fifteen yards into the woods, with only minor cuts, scrapes and pain in her ankle.

Lt. Sheridan & K9 Rizzo with Chief Deputy Major Donald Lowe and Sheriff Ashland Fortune

Join the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office in congratulating Lt. Sheridan and K9 Rizzo on receiving the Virginia Bloodhound Search and Rescue Association Lifesaving Award.