In a heartwarming turn of events, a typical day for Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s K-9 unit turned into a heroic rescue mission. When a missing man with autism wandered away from his home in Lakeland, it was the keen nose of a bloodhound from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office that led to his safe return. Amidst the iconic images of law enforcement, this one shines as a beacon of hope and gratitude.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s K-9 unit recently made headlines for all the right reasons when their bloodhound successfully located a missing man with autism in Lakeland.
The Lakeland Police Department had tirelessly searched through the night for the missing and endangered man, who had wandered away from his home without glasses or shoes. Despite their efforts, they were unable to locate him.
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With the situation becoming increasingly dire, officers reached out to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for assistance. Deputy Rimes and his K-9 partner, Wyatt, immediately joined the search.
Using a pillowcase to acquire the missing man’s scent, K-9 Wyatt swiftly got to work. Traversing the city streets, the bloodhound diligently tracked the scent trail and ultimately led deputies to the missing man.
Reflecting on the successful rescue, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd expressed gratitude for their four-legged friend’s invaluable role in bringing the missing man home safe and sound. Despite the ten-hour head start, the swift action of the K-9 unit ensured a happy ending to what could have been a tragic situation.
