Moffat County Search and Rescue

The Moffat County Sheriff's Posse was started March 1, 1960 by Sheriff Bill Terrill to aid the Sheriff's Department. It was set up as a working posse to assist in search and rescue and continues to function in that capacity today.

Since its beginning the Posse has provided many services to Moffat County. All Law Enforcement was handled by the Sheriff as the Craig Police Department was not created until October 31, 1975. Posse members would help patrol both city and county and help the understaffed city officers.

The 70's, in addition to searches for the lost, saw the Posse members manning road blocks looking for escaped prisoners, helping to catch bank robbers and kidnappers, patrolling on Halloween, providing guards at the local banks and organizing skunk hunts in town to cut down the skunk population.

They also participated in parades and provided security at all rodeo's and dances through out the county. The Ride and Tie and the Brown's Park School dances were two of the annual events the Posse provided security for.

The 80's had a couple of events the Posse helped with. When a murderer had thrown his victims over Haystack Mountain and tried to burn them, it was the Posse that descended the mountain on ropes and recovered the remains. When a young teenager, out rabbit hunting, got separated from his buddies it was the Posse that found him in 20 below weather in an abandoned house suffering near hypothermia.

The Posse has provided members to assist on numerous searches for lost and injured hunters, snowmobilers, water rafters and bikers as well. They have provided limited law enforcement services for the Moffat County Sheriff's Office whenever requested, giving between 3000 to 6000 man hours of volunteer service each year until a change in state regulation in the early 90's made the Posse a primarily search and rescue organization.

All Posse members are trained. They have specialized divisions such as the horse division, snowmobile, water rescue, avalanche, rock climbing, 4 wheel drive, medical, diving and communications. Each year the Posse organizes a rafting trip in May or June to train for water rescue. What ever a person's interest is there is a place for them in the Posse. This is a non paid position in dollars, but one receives a great deal of satisfaction knowing they are helping people in need and their community.

The Posse serves Moffat County and responds to a situation at the request of the Sheriff's Office.

There is a limit of 50 full time members and at present there is room for new members. If you are over 21 years old, a citizen of Colorado, a registered voter and successfully pass a background check you can be a member of the Posse.

Anyone interested in joining the Moffat County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue can contact any member or call the Sheriff's Office at 970 824-4495.