Fla. bloodhound that found missing boy receives trailing team award

By Suzie Ziegler

BUNNELL, Fla. — In just two years, K-9 Holmes has made quite a name for himself at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

Holmes and his human handler, Sgt. Fred Gimbel, have recovered several missing persons in Flagler County since the K-9 joined the agency in April 2018, according to WNDB. His most recent achievement was helping to locate an endangered 13-year-old boy in less than an hour on June 27, the sheriff’s office said. The K-9 is also credited with sniffing out an 11-year-old who was hiding in the woods back in January. Both children were found safe.

Holmes and Gimbel were recently named K-9 Trailing Team of the Year by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, reported WNDB.

“This is a tremendous level of recognition for such a young Bloodhound Team,” Sheriff Rick Staly told WNDB. “Sergeant Gimbel and K-9 Holmes make a great team and Sgt. Gimbel has put in so much effort to train Holmes in search and rescue. I am glad that all of Sergeant Gimbel’s efforts are being recognized!”

Watch body-worn camera footage of Holmes finding the 13-year-old below:

Holmes’ puppy training was documented by the sheriff’s office on its Facebook, where viewers could watch his skills grow each week.

Gimbel and Holmes will receive their award from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and FDLE Commissioner Richard Swearingen at the Florida Capitol on September 14, according to WNDB.