Pennington County Search and Rescue

10/24/2026

Earlier this afternoon, Pennington County Search and Rescue responded alongside the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Hill City Volunteer Fire Department, and Hill City Ambulance for a reported lost hiker on the Horsethief Lake Trail.

​Search teams used CalTopo's SMS locator tool to pinpoint the hiker’s coordinates, guiding ground teams directly to their location. The individual was evaluated for minor injuries and safely assisted back to the trailhead.

​Always head out with a charged phone, and if you become lost or injured, call for help and stay put. If you receive a text from Search and Rescue, follow the instructions to share your location—doing so greatly increases the accuracy and speed of rescue.

10/18/2026

Last night, 10-17-2026, Pennington County Search and Rescue responded to the Old Baldy Mountain area to assist an uninjured rock climber who had become stranded high on the rock wall. Our team quickly hiked in, made contact on the rock face, and assisted the climber safely back to the ground. A major commendation goes out to the climbing party for making the right call: when a situation turns hazardous, remaining safely secured in place and calling for help—rather than attempting a risky self-rescue—makes all the difference in ensuring everyone goes home safe.

Thank you to our partner agencies who also responded to assist on the call:

Pennington County 911
Pennington County Sheriff's Office
Battle Creek Fire Department
Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department
Keystone Ambulance Service
Mount Rushmore NPS

04/10/2026

04/09/2026

The Pennington County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Hill City man, Ronald Deloss Blabchard, 86 years of age. Ronald was last seen in Hill City on Monday at approximately 5:00 PM. Ronald is a white male, 6’1”, 200 lbs.

Ronald is very active and known to frequently walk with the aid of a walking stick. His regular walks are typically along Deerfield Road and the Mickelson Trail but could be anywhere in the area. It is unknown what he might be wearing. There is a concern for Ronald’s health as he suffers from high blood pressure.

Ronald recently arrived in South Dakota from Arizona on Saturday and typically spends the summer in the Black Hills.

If you have seen this individual or have any information on his whereabouts, please contact Pennington County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Marc Davies at (605) 394-6115.

01/09/2026

Come join us! Learn about what we do!
Interested in applying? Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/PCSAR-app

12/03/2025

We are looking for Volunteers!
Click here to apply: https://tinyurl.com/PCSAR-app

10/17/2025

On Tuesday evening we were honored to spend some time at the Spearfish Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch.

In true team fashion, it wasn’t a leisure outing. We split into three teams and took to the corn with a mission: To beat the other two teams.

There are 8 stamps within the corn. Each team was tasked with obtaining all stamps and getting out of the corn before the other teams.

Seems easy right? Well, it was black as could be, and the teams in the maze only had headlamps. They also were not wielding maps! Their only hope was radio communication with their “command” back at the truck. Command had the map!

All teams wwee able to complete the challenge!

The teams had a blast competing and honing their skills on a beautiful night.

Thank you to the Spearfish Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, we so appreciate you allowing us to train on your beautiful property!

10/13/2025

Always a good day when it turns out well.

10/03/2025

10/01/2025