--- title: "Florida Sheriff Organizes Jeep Wrangler Volunteer Squad for Search-and-Rescue Missions" description: "There are a lot of places a patrol car just can't go...and that's where these guys come in." date: "2017-06-15" modified: "2017-06-15" authors: - name: "Kyle Cheromcha" job_title: "Editor-in-Chief" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/11553/florida-sheriff-organizes-jeep-wrangler-volunteer-squad-for-search-and-rescue-missions" categories: - "Jeep News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Florida" - "Jeep" - "Jeep Wrangler" - "Off-Road" - "police" - "rescue" - "Search" - "suv/crossover" - "volunteer" - "Wrangler" --- # Florida Sheriff Organizes Jeep Wrangler Volunteer Squad for Search-and-Rescue Missions ![]() *\www.thedrive.com\* Jeep Wranglers are nothing if not capable off-road, and one Florida sheriff's office is taking advantage of the vehicle's famous abilities [by forming an all-volunteer Jeep Search and Rescue Unit]() to get off-road enthusiasts trained and equipped to help police when the going gets rough and a regular patrol car just can't hack it. That's not to say the Pasco County Sheriff's Office doesn't have a few [off-road toys of their own](). But the ability to summon the 27 members of the Jeep Unit to assist on searches, extractions, and even flood rescues has proved to be a huge help for deputies. Mind you, this is much more than a motley crew of Jeepers banging around in the woods; [potential recruits are fully vetted]() and given extensive training in everything from CPR to search patterns to crime scene procedures before officially joining up. ![message-editor%2F1497549486342-touch\_a\_truck\_20170603-03.jpg]() *Pasco County Sheriff's Office* ![message-editor%2F1497549492222-touch\_a\_truck\_20170603-07.jpg]() *Pasco County Sheriff's Office* ![message-editor%2F1497549495591-touch\_a\_truck\_20170603-04.jpg]() *Pasco County Sheriff's Office* ![message-editor%2F1497549504263-photo\_mar\_25\_12\_01\_04\_pm.jpg]() *Pasco County Sheriff's Office* [Corporal Arthur Madden, the officer in charge of the unit, told CBS 10 News]() that the volunteers have already been called on twice to help out in real-life search and rescue operations and were "instrumental" in clearing several search areas. And with the rainy season approaching, Madden says the team will be ready to assist on whatever missions come up requiring their off-road expertise. For the members, it's all about helping people. Many are retired police officers, firefighters, and doctors, eager to channel their former vocations and continue to serve the local community. In addition to the on-call demands of the job, the unit also travels to outreach and public awareness events, where the jacked-up Jeeps are generally [a big hit]() with anyone with a pulse. But for anyone who's hoping to join up, fair warning: As you might have guessed by the pictures, it's [Jeep Wranglers]() only (and the occasional XJ Cherokee) for now. ## Author Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()