The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks recently honored Corporal Bradley Starling and the K-9 unit’s dog, Charlie, with the Medal of Valor for their exceptional service in locating three missing children. These children were reported missing on July 25 in Monroe County, Mississippi, prompting the sheriff’s department to seek assistance. Corporal Starling and Charlie swiftly responded to the call for help.
Upon receiving a piece of clothing belonging to one of the missing children, Charlie, a yellow Labrador retriever, used his exceptional tracking abilities to follow the scent for 200 yards (183 meters), ultimately leading to the discovery of footprints. Within just 15 minutes, Charlie successfully located all three missing children, ensuring they were safely reunited with their families.
In a statement, Col. Jerry Carter, the chief of law enforcement at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, commended the K-9 unit for their dedication, rigorous training, and tireless efforts in supporting communities during critical situations like this one. The department expressed deep pride in Corporal Starling and Charlie for their remarkable teamwork and swift action that led to the successful rescue of the missing children.