Cochise County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue

Cochise County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue The Cochise County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue (COCHISESAR) Posse was founded in 1981. The Cochise SAR Foundation LTD.

By Manny Gomez (SAR-01) to provide for the search, rescue, evacuation, recovery, of victims in distress in Cochise County and surrounding areas. VOLUNTEER TEAM + FOUNDATION

Cochise County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue (COCHISESAR) was founded in 1982. By Manny Gomez (SAR-01) and then Commander Larry Dever to provide for the search, rescue, evacuation, recovery, victims in distress in Cochise

County and surrounding areas. supports the Cochise SAR volunteers through direct support, community education, and advocacy. In partnership, the Foundation and SAR team create an organization that works to keep Cochise County residents, visitors safe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

06/12/2026

Incoming with the subject

06/12/2026

Heading to the rescue location

The rescue missions are not ending.On 6/11/26, CCSO SAR was activated for the rescue of a stranded and dehydrated subjec...
06/12/2026

The rescue missions are not ending.

On 6/11/26, CCSO SAR was activated for the rescue of a stranded and dehydrated subject in the Miller area. The subject called 911 and reported that he could not move from his location due to a cliff face. He also stated he was not feeling well and had no water.

Due to the location and terrain, AZ DPS Air Rescue Ranger 2 was contacted and assisted with the rescue. Because a hoist rescue is never guaranteed, a three-person hasty team with technical rope rescue skills was deployed toward the subject’s location. Additional SAR team members were staged to follow with rescue gear and a Stokes basket.

Ranger 2 conducted a reconnaissance flight and located the subject. The helicopter then flew to the landing zone to offload gear before beginning the rescue operation.

The subject was evaluated by SAR medical personnel and Fry Fire. Transport to the hospital was not required, and the subject was turned over to U.S. Border Patrol, who also assisted with the mission.

Great coordination and teamwork by all involved.

On 6/10/26, CCSO SAR members conducted a double training day with supplemental K9 training in the early morning and supp...
06/11/2026

On 6/10/26, CCSO SAR members conducted a double training day with supplemental K9 training in the early morning and supplemental technical rescue training in the evening at Carr Canyon near the bridge.

During the K9 training, trailing teams continued working on direction of travel (DOT) determination with a turn incorporated into the trail. Advances area search dogs completed a larger search area containing two subjects, successfully providing their trained final responses (TFRs) upon locating the subjects.

K9 Quinn and Handler Bill continued their runaway training progression with a small search problem up a hillside. Quinn is continuing to develop nicely, showing increased confidence, enthusiasm, and understanding of the search game while working independently to locate the subject.

The evening technical rescue training focused on individual rope skills. Team members practiced ascending and rappelling on a cliff face, reinforcing the fundamental skills necessary for safe and efficient technical rescue operations. These foundational skills are critical to maintaining operational readiness in the challenging terrain commonly encountered throughout Cochise County.

It was a productive training day, with all objectives successfully met. Continuous training and repetition of fundamental skills ensure our K9 teams and technical rescue personnel remain prepared to respond when called upon to assist those in need.

06/08/2026

On 06/07/2026 at approximately 1615 hours, CCSO Search and Rescue was contacted by SEACOM regarding two hikers reported lost in the Huachuca Mountains. Family members advised that the subjects had last made contact around 1500 hours, stating they believed they were lost.

The reporting party advised her husband and a friend had departed the previous morning to hike from Montezuma Pass to Parker Canyon Lake. Two vehicles had been staged, one at Montezuma Pass and one at Parker Canyon Lake. At approximately 1000 hours, the reporting party received a location update from her husband indicating they had roughly five hours remaining before reaching the parking area. Around 1500 hours, she received another call advising they believed they were lost, had limited battery life remaining, and that one of the subjects may have sustained a knee injury, slowing their progress.

The reporting party provided a screenshot of the subjects’ last known location. SAR personnel converted the information into SARTopo, placing the subjects just east of Pat Scott Peak. “Find Me” links were subsequently sent to both subjects’ cellular phones in an attempt to obtain updated location information.

CCSO SAR personnel and Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger 2 were activated and began responding toward the Montezuma Canyon Road and Sunnyside Canyon area. While responding through Montezuma Pass, SAR personnel located both subjects at their vehicle in the Montezuma Pass parking lot. The subjects advised they were uninjured, safe, and did not require assistance.

With the subjects accounted for and no medical or rescue needs identified, CCSO SAR personnel and AZDPS Ranger 2 were cancelled and returned to service.

6.7.2026.The CCSO SAR K9 Team conducted training in the Charleston Road/Bridge area, focusing on several discipline-spec...
06/07/2026

6.7.2026.
The CCSO SAR K9 Team conducted training in the Charleston Road/Bridge area, focusing on several discipline-specific objectives. Our HRD teams were introduced to a new odor source, allowing both handlers and K9s to work through odor recognition and source commitment in varying environmental conditions.

Our trailing teams concentrated on increased trail age and distance, challenging both the dogs and handlers to work through more complex scent pictures while maintaining confidence in direction of travel and turns. Our area search dog in training completed multiple repetitions designed to build consistency, confidence, and understanding of the search game.

To help mitigate the extreme summer temperatures, the training day began very early in the morning. Despite the early start, temperatures had already climbed to approximately 90 degrees by the time training concluded. The warm conditions provided an additional opportunity for handlers to monitor K9 performance, hydration, and endurance while continuing to build operational readiness.

Training in realistic environmental conditions remains essential to maintaining reliable and effective search teams capable of responding when called upon. Great work by all handlers, K9s, trail setters, and support personnel who helped make the day a success.

6.6.2026. What a technical rescue training day ending in a real rescue.The team conducted small-team technical rescue tr...
06/07/2026

6.6.2026. What a technical rescue training day ending in a real rescue.

The team conducted small-team technical rescue training at Juniper Flats, working through three different rescue scenarios. In two of the scenarios, our SAR EMTs not only had to perform medical assessments and manage injuries, but also establish IV lines on the side of the mountain under less-than-ideal conditions. Rescuers descended to the “injured subjects,” conducted patient assessments and treatment, while the remainder of the team set up lowering and hauling systems. Team members rotated through the various positions to gain experience in all aspects of the rescue operation.

We had barely completed the debrief when the callout came in.

At approximately 1240 hours, Seacom received a 911 call from a subject in distress in the Lutz Canyon area. Team members responded directly from the training site. The 911 coordinates placed the subject approximately 400 feet off the trail on a steep mountainside. Fortunately, agents from the United States Border Patrol were already in the area searching for another subject.

The first two-person hasty team, consisting of SAR EMTs, made their way to the coordinates, followed closely by additional SAR personnel, paramedics, and the Stokes litter team. Upon arrival, rescuers found the subject suffering from severe dehydration and in very poor condition. The subject told rescuers he had given up and was ready to die.

The patient was medically assessed, treated, and administered IV fluids. After being stabilized, he was packaged in a Stokes litter and transported to the trailhead, where he was transferred to a waiting ambulance for transport to Canyon Vista Medical Center for further treatment.

This incident highlighted the value of realistic training. The skills our team had been practicing only minutes earlier were immediately put to use in an actual rescue.

The agents from the United States Border Patrol were a tremendous asset during this operation. An enormous thank you to all involved for their teamwork, professionalism, and dedication to saving lives.

06/06/2026

New Two Bear Air, Montana rescue helicopter.

Blast from the past:14 years ago today our coed team took the championship in annual swiftwater expo at Saguaro Lake Ran...
06/04/2026

Blast from the past:
14 years ago today our coed team took the championship in annual swiftwater expo at Saguaro Lake Ranch!

On 06/03/2026, CCSO SAR K9 team members conducted supplemental training in Benson near the city pool. The primary object...
06/03/2026

On 06/03/2026, CCSO SAR K9 team members conducted supplemental training in Benson near the city pool. The primary objectives for our trailing teams focused on refining starts and turns, reinforcing the foundation skills necessary for successful trail acquisition and maintaining the correct direction of travel.

Our HRD K9 teams conducted blank search exercises designed to ensure the dogs worked independently and confidently while demonstrating the ability to clear an area when no target odor was present. Blank searches are an important component of maintaining operational readiness and preventing false alerts.

Our area search K9 worked a small search problem involving steep terrain, requiring both the dog and handler to negotiate challenging ground conditions while maintaining effective search coverage.

We were also joined by Bill and K9 Quinn, whose participation added to the value of the training. Despite the increasing temperatures throughout the morning, all teams worked safely and effectively, making it a productive training day focused on strengthening foundational skills and maintaining operational readiness. Great work by everyone involved.

Address

1728 Paseo San Luis, AZ 85635-4610
Sierra Vista, AZ
85635

Telephone

+15208033550

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