At the Brown County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana, first responders were deployed on Sunday, October 5, 2025 to Sundance Lake in Hoosier National Forest in a search for two 11-year-old children who became separated from their mother and were reported to be lost in the woods.
The sheriff’s office, accompanied by the Department of Natural Resources – Law Enforcement, Nashville Police Department, Harrison Township Fire Department, and Southern Brown Volunteer Fire Department all began searching the area.
That was when Deputy Cody Loncaric and his partner K9 Knox, with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, began the dog’s first track in the field which was approximately 550 yards in length. K9 Knox pointed first responders in the right direction and helped to successfully locate the two missing juveniles.
K9’s, particularly German shepherds and Belgian Malinois, are often imported from Germany as they are rigorously trained developing strong obedience, tracking and protective skills. Their cost can range from $8,000 to move than $20,000 based on the dog’s training. Many of these dogs come from champion bloodlines.
Knox’s personal journey, however began in Indiana in the winter as a puppy surviving because people felt sorry for him. He had been a stray found near a Shelbyville truck stop and taken to the local animal shelter until he was rescued by Redemption Ranch K9 Rescue, a non profit organization that trains dogs for police work. When Knox arrived, he had a purpose, and he thrived.
In July, Knox graduated and was soon welcomed into the Brown County Sheriff’s Office family. And today, Knox is one great dog who has been making amazing strides. And everyone who meets him, immediately falls in love.
He is an extremely smart and hard working professional. From being a scared and nearly frozen to death stray to now having a family that loves him and finding his purpose, he has come such a long way. However in his off time he is still mastering the placement of the donut frisbee during play time. Stay with it Knox, we believe in you!
Reading about K9 Knox, his story proves that the dogs who were strays, who were lost and who were unwanted, have become the ones to help others.
Police did not say how long the two children had been missing or how long but took the opportunity to credit the search team who were able to find the kids deep within the thick forest.
You’re a good dog Knox!
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