Geauga County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Scott A. Hildenbrand

07/22/2026

Meet Deputy Trevon Richardson & K-9 Dunkan!

K-9 Dunkan is a four-year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever born in Colombia, South America. He was paired with Deputy Trevon Richardson in the fall of 2022, and together they spent three years serving with the University of Akron Police Department before joining the Geauga County Sheriff's Office.

Dunkan is trained and certified in explosives detection and tracking.

In addition to serving the citizens of Geauga County, Dunkan is assigned to the Lake County Bomb Unit, where he responds to calls throughout Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula Counties. Whether assisting with public safety operations, community events, or critical incidents, Dunkan plays an important role in helping keep our communities safe.

When the workday is over, Dunkan enjoys spending time with his family, swimming, and relaxing with his favorite bone.

Fun Fact: Dunkan and Sgt. Smith's K-9 Rookie are littermates!

07/21/2026

This One Geauga Trail Flyer includes every stop along the route and the estimated times participants will be at each station.

If you're planning to participate in the relay option, this schedule will help you coordinate when to switch team members.

We already have 20 community members registered, and we're looking forward to a great day together. If the weather cooperates, it's going to be an incredible experience!

Special awards will be presented to participants who:

Hike the entire trail
Complete the route by bike
Participate by vehicle
Take part in a relay team

The day will conclude with our Remembrance Event, where everyone is invited to enjoy a picnic. A shuttle service back to Chardon will also be available for those who need transportation.

We hope you'll join us for this meaningful community event. See you on the trail!

07/21/2026

UPDATE: MARGARET “MAGGIE” KEEGAN HAS BEEN LOCATED SAFELY

We are happy to report that 11-year-old Margaret “Maggie” Keegan has been located safe after spending the night lost in the woods.

The Geauga County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the dedicated first responders, search teams, partner agencies, volunteers, and community members who assisted in the search efforts and shared information.

07/16/2026

Experience Geauga Like Never Before!

Join us for One Geauga Community Trail Day on Saturday, August 8, 2026!

Explore Geauga County by hiking, biking, or driving to six exciting community stations along the beautiful Maple Highlands Trail. Meet local agencies, discover community resources, enjoy fun activities, and experience some of our county's most scenic parks. Hike part of the trail alongside a Geauga County Sheriff's Deputy and learn more about the people who proudly serve our community.

Start at the Chardon Bike Trailhead on Park Ave at 10 am and get your card to collect stamps at each station, spend time with family and friends, and finish the day at Swine Creek Reservation for a Community Remembrance Picnic & Butterfly Release, hosted by the Geauga County Sheriff's Office LOSS Team from 4:00–6:00 PM.

Complete the entire trail by hiking and receive a special One Geauga Finisher Award in recognition of your accomplishment!

Whether you hike, bike, or drive, there's something for everyone!
One County. One Community. One Trail.

August 8, 2026

Register today: https://geauga-sheriff.my.canva.site/

07/15/2026

PRESS RELEASE:

Last week, detectives executed search warrants at multiple properties in Mahoning County connected to the storage of stolen property linked to the breaking and entering and theft offenses that occurred in Geauga County on July 6 and July 7.

During the investigation, detectives also served two search warrants within the City of Youngstown. As a result of those searches, investigators recovered numerous items stolen from victims in Geauga, Ashtabula, and Mahoning counties.

Recovered property included generators, powersports equipment, ATVs, dirt bikes, and high-end tools.

At this time, one individual has been arrested, and additional charges are expected as investigators continue to determine the full scope of these crimes and identify all individuals involved. The investigation remains ongoing.

07/15/2026

Meet K-9 Duran and Deputy Wilson!

K-9 Duran is a male German Shepherd born in Slovakia who will turn two years old this August. He is certified through the State of Ohio in narcotics detection, tracking, evidence recovery, handler protection, and criminal apprehension.

From Deputy Wilson:

"I've been in law enforcement for 24 years, and becoming a K-9 handler has always been one of my career goals. Working alongside Duran has been an incredibly rewarding experience. He gives 100% every day, whether he's tracking a suspect, searching for evidence, or protecting those around him.

At the end of our shift, Duran goes home with me, where he gets to enjoy being a dog and spending time with my family. It's rewarding to see both sides of him—the hardworking K-9 on duty and the loyal companion at home.

I'm proud to serve alongside Duran and honored to be part of the Geauga County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit."

07/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE: Geauga County Sheriff's Office Arrests Suspect in Multi-County Garage Break-In Investigation

The Geauga County Sheriff's Office has arrested Bradley S. Salus, a 48-year-old male from Youngstown, OH, following an investigation into a series of garage break-ins that occurred on July 6 and July 7 in Montville Township.

The thefts took place during the early morning hours, prompting an immediate investigation by Sheriff's Office deputies and detectives. Through numerous investigative efforts, the Sheriff’s Office quickly identified a suspect - who was subsequently apprehended in possession of numerous stolen items in Mahoning County.

A search warrant was executed at the suspect's residence in the City of Youngstown, where detectives recovered additional stolen items, including tools, lawn equipment, and a dirt bike. Detectives also recovered property believed to have been stolen during garage break-ins throughout Ashtabula County.

The investigation remains active as detectives continue working to identify any additional suspects, additional victims, recover outstanding stolen property, and determine whether the suspect may be connected to other theft-related offenses.

Sheriff Scott A. Hildenbrand stated that “the Flock Safety camera systems played a significant role in this investigation. Information discovered through the system assisted detectives in quickly identifying the suspect and contributed to the successful recovery of stolen property and preventing additional victims.”

Detectives are coordinating with law enforcement agencies in neighboring jurisdictions as the investigation continues. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

If there are any additional victims of possible thefts, please contact the Geauga County Sheriff's Office.

07/08/2026

Sergeant Smith has been a deputy with the sheriff's office since 2007 and prior to that was a police officer for a local university. In 2011 he was selected as a handler for the K-9 Unit. He was paired with his first partner, Spirit, who was a patrol and narcotics detection dog. They worked together until October of 2023 when Spirit was retired.

After Spirit's retirement, Sergeant Smith selected his current partner, K-9 Rookie who was born in November of 2022. Rookie is a labrador and was born in Columbia. Sergeant Smith and Rookie are certified in explosives detection and tracking. They, along with Deputy Richardson and K9 Dunkin, are assigned to the Lake County Bomb Squad. Their response area includes Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula Counties.

Sergeant Smith enjoys participating in community events and talking about the functions and duties of the K9 Unit. Sergeant Smith is currently a night shift supervisor and the canine unit supervisor. You can contact him at [email protected] for any questions regarding the unit.

07/06/2026

07/06/2026

Get Ready to Meet the Geauga County Sheriff's Office K-9 Team!

Over the next several weeks, we'll be introducing you to the incredible K-9 teams of the Geauga County Sheriff's Office.

You'll get to know each of our K-9s, learn about their unique skills and specialties, and meet the dedicated deputies who serve as their handlers. These teams play a vital role in keeping our communities safe through tracking suspects, locating missing persons, detecting narcotics, apprehending dangerous offenders, detecting explosives and much more.

Did you know our K-9 Program is funded entirely through donations? Tax dollars do not pay for the purchase, training, or many of the ongoing expenses associated with our K-9s. The generosity of our community makes this program possible, and we are truly grateful for your continued support.

Be sure to follow our page over the coming weeks as we introduce each K-9 team and share their stories. We can't wait for you to get to know these hardworking four-legged deputies and the handlers who work beside them every day!

Stay tuned—our first K-9 spotlight is coming soon!