Jimmy Ryce Center

09/30/2026

Following Florida Missing Children’s Day, the commitment to bringing the missing home continued through critical, hands-on training.

The Annual Bloodhound Scent Tracking Seminar, hosted by the Florida Public Safety Institute near Tallahassee, brought together 20 handlers and their bloodhounds for specialized training exclusively dedicated to bloodhound scent tracking.

At the Jimmy Ryce Center, we know how critical ongoing training is. Every scenario, every trail and every opportunity for a handler and bloodhound to work together strengthens a team that may one day be called upon when every minute matters.

Over the next few days, we’ll introduce you to some of the JRC bloodhounds and their handlers who traveled from across the country to take part — and share the important work these special teams are doing in their own communities. 💙🐾

Florida Public Safety Institute FDLE

09/22/2026

One of the most profound moments of this year’s Florida Missing Children’s Day came during the Family Ceremony — a solemn tradition recognizing families whose children have been lost and those who are still waiting for answers.

As representatives of the Jimmy Ryce Center, on behalf of the Ryce family made their way down the aisle, they were accompanied, as they are each year, by Deputy Keli Covet and Bloodhound Anthem of Broward Sheriff's Office. But this year, there was another deeply meaningful presence beside them.

Deputy Corey Bowers of the Floyd County Sheriff's Office joined the procession with Bloodhound Doc — a Jimmy Ryce Center bloodhound whose longtime handler and partner, Deputy Mike Williams, passed away earlier this year.

As Doc walked the aisle, he carried Deputy Williams’ badge on his back.

Mike was a trusted friend of the Jimmy Ryce Center and a dedicated advocate for the lifesaving role bloodhounds play in locating missing and endangered children. Today, Doc continues that mission alongside Deputy Bowers.

For a ceremony centered on remembrance, hope and the enduring bond between families and those who search for their children, it was a powerful reminder that Mike’s service — and his legacy — continue to walk with us. 💙🐾

FDLE

09/17/2026

A Huge Congratulations! Highlands County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff Paul Blackman

Deputy O'Gara and K9 Hank Named 2026 Florida Missing Children's Day K9 Trailing Team of the Year

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office is proud to announce that Deputy Ryan O'Gara and his K9 partner, Hank, have been named the 2026 Florida Missing Children's Day Jimmy Ryce K-9 Trailing Team of the Year.

The statewide award, presented in memory of Jimmy Ryce, recognizes exceptional, extraordinary, or outstanding K-9 trailing work that leads to the safe recovery of a missing child. Deputy O'Gara and K-9 Hank earned the honor for their actions that led to the quick recovery of a missing and endangered child earlier this year.

On Jan. 5, 2026, Deputy O'Gara and K-9 Hank were dispatched to search for a missing 16-year-old who suffered from severe mental health disorders and suspected autism spectrum disorder. The teenager had been missing for approximately 90 minutes when they arrived on scene.

After collecting a scent article and establishing a direction of travel, K-9 Hank began tracking. The track worked through multiple streets, a dead end, sugar sand, and a large open field before pushing into a wooded area. After a one-mile track, Hank located the missing teen, who was unharmed.

"This track showcased both Hank's relentless drive and Deputy O'Gara's skilled handling under pressure," Sheriff Paul Blackman said. "That combination brought the search to a safe and quick end, and reunited a family."

Hank has been in service with the HCSO since 2023, and in that time he has sniffed out 12 felony suspects (his first one at only six months old), including a murder suspect and an attempted murder suspect. He has also found seven misdemeanor suspects, two missing elderly adults, six missing children, and eight endangered missing persons.

The award is named in honor of Jimmy Ryce, a 9-year-old Homestead boy who was abducted and murdered in 1995. In the years that followed, Jimmy's parents, Don and Claudine Ryce, dedicated themselves to protecting children, believing their son might have been found if a trained bloodhound had been available that day. They established the Jimmy Ryce Center for Victims of Predatory Abduction, which has since donated hundreds of bloodhounds to law enforcement agencies across the country to aid in the search for missing and endangered children.

The Jimmy Ryce Center donated K-9 Tripoli, the HCSO's newest bloodhound, to the agency earlier this year. Former HCSO K-9 Maverick was also a Jimmy Ryce donation.

09/17/2026

At Florida Missing Children’s Day, we were especially proud to see Deputy Tony Sun of the Broward Sheriff's Office and Jimmy Ryce Center’s very own Bloodhound K9 Ziva recognized as recipients of the 2026 Maple’s Everyday Hero Award. 💙🐾

Deputy Sun and Ziva represent the extraordinary partnership between handler and bloodhound — and the dedication, training and determination it takes to help bring missing children and endangered individuals home safely.

Take a listen to Melissa Bujeda, Director of Missing Persons and Offender Enforcement Division of FDLE, share details of two critical cases resulting in positive outcomes.

Congratulations to Deputy Sun and K9 Ziva on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your continued commitment to this critical mission.

09/16/2026

Join us in congratulating Deputy Coleman “Ryan” O’Gara and K9 Hank of the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, recipients of this year’s Jimmy Ryce K9 Trailing Team of the Year Award, presented during Florida Missing Children’s Day.

K9 Hank was incredibly excited for his award! 🐾

Highlands County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff Paul Blackman Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, Government FDLE

09/16/2026

We are excited to celebrate Deputy Coleman “Ryan” O’Gara and K9 Hank of the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, recipients of this year’s Jimmy Ryce K9 Trailing Team of the Year Award, presented during Florida Missing Children’s Day.

Their dedication — and the incredible work and successful finds they have made over the past year — represent exactly what this award stands for: an unwavering commitment to bringing missing children and endangered individuals home safely.

Hear from Melissa Bujeda, Director of Missing Persons and Offender Enforcement Division of FDLE, as she shares more about this remarkable team and the difference they are making.

We also congratulate all of this year’s Florida Missing Children’s Day award recipients, whose extraordinary dedication and service continue to make a difference for missing children and their families across Florida and beyond.

Congratulations, Deputy O’Gara and K9 Hank — and thank you for answering the call when families need you most. 💙🐾

Highlands County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff Paul Blackman Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, Government

09/15/2026

Yesterday, the Jimmy Ryce Center joined families, law enforcement and leaders from across Florida and beyond for Florida Missing Children’s Day in Tallahassee.

The emotions were overwhelming. We applaud the FDLE for its continued leadership, the law enforcement agencies who came together, and the dedicated Jimmy Ryce Center bloodhounds and their handlers who took part.

Most importantly, we stood alongside families — those who have lost loved ones and those still waiting for their children to come home.

Amid the heartbreak, there was also hope. Seeing so many people and agencies united in their commitment to finding the missing and bringing loved ones home was a powerful reminder that these families are never forgotten. 💙

09/14/2026

Always in our hearts Nellie and Macie! 🐾

09/14/2026

09/11/2026

On Monday, the Jimmy Ryce Center will join State of Florida leaders, our partners at FDLE, families and JRC bloodhounds in Tallahassee for Florida Missing Children’s Day — a day of remembrance, recognition and continued commitment to bringing the missing home.

FDLE