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Volunters Search for Baby Shannon
11/04/09 - 06:09 PM
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Hundreds of people have helped with the search for baby Shannon and many of them are volunteers.

One group of 23 volunteers on horseback is putting in their time and money to search for her. They call themselves the Mounted Posse.  Since Sunday, riders from Jackson and Bay County have been out searching for evidence.

From sun up to sun down, this group of volunteers combs the pastures on horseback around missing seven month old Shannon Dedrick’s home.

“It’s a way for them to give back to the community and do something they like doing anyway,” said Sgt. Jim Jenkins, coordinator of the Mounted Posse.

They are just one part of the search and rescue effort, but they play a big role. 

“It’s very time consuming due to the horses don’t move as fast as 4-wheeler, but it gives us a better angle to spot items that are hidden in the brush,” said Sgt. Jenkins.

Not only is it a big time committment, it’s also expensive.  They have to provide their own horses, vehicles, trailers, and fuel for travel.

But Judy Fox, who has been with the group for 20 years, says she is glad to help out the community.

“I enjoy doing it on the horse because I’ve been riding all my life,” said Fox.

The group says they have a high success rate and while it can be very emotional, it’s also rewarding.

“We have indeed found a large number of things we’ve searched for: stolen property, lost children, lost Alzheimer’s patients…” said Fox.

They say they always need more volunteers but you do have to be trained.  You can contact the Bay County Sheriff’s Office if you would like to volunteer at 747-4700.