Richland County K-9 rescues vulnerable adult

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)—The Richland County Sheriff’s Department says one of their K-9’s had a special role in the search and rescue of a missing vulnerable adult.

Deputies say K-9 Shadow, a 8 year-old German Shepard, has a reputation for finding people just in time, and she proved it once again.

The K-9 and her handler Deputy Michel Galliot found Willie Williams, a 78 year-old missing since early morning on July 10, face down in a ravine. Mr. Williams was not able to move or lift his head and was dehydrated.

RCSD and the fire department worked to safely remove him. Mr. Williams was hospitalized for several days after the incident. 

Shadow had previously aided in the rescue of a 78 year-old woman with medical issues in 2022.

The canine found her alive in the woods after she walked away from her crashed vehicle in Calhoun County.

K-9 Shadow is one of almost two dozen dogs in RCSD’s K-9 unit.