Missouri Valley Search and Rescue (MOVAL) is a non-profit, volunteer service organization specializing in wilderness land search and rescue operations for lost or missing persons in the midwest region. Our team is activated immediately when requested by law enforcement or from another agency having jurisdiction.
ABOUT THE MISSOURI VALLEY SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM
The Missouri Valley Search and Rescue Team, LLC is a recognized IRS Not for Profit, 501(c)(3) organization status operating in the State of Missouri. MOVAL was formed in order to continue the mission that was started in 2003 by the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation. The team provides services for missing persons primarily focusing on areas within about 100 miles from St. Louis, Missouri. The team is completly comprised of volunteers who dedicate their time to help others and is funded complely by donations! We operate in any weather condition, day or night, 365 days a year! Our services are offered to Law Enforcement, Fire Departments and other Emergency Service organizations FREE of charge. Our training allows us to continue searching when others can't!
HISTORY THE MISSOURI VALLEY SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM
In May of 2013 Missouri Valley Search and Rescue Team was formed from the membership of the former Hornbeck Search and Rescue Team once it was decided by Shawn's family to end the foundation that was created in his name. Members wanted to continue to provide SAR services after it was announced that the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation ( the parent organization over the Hornbeck SAR Team ) was closing its doors after more than 10 years of service to the community. The Shawn Hornbeck Search and Rescue Team was co-formed by Craig Akers and Chris Diamond, the primary leadership members of the search for then missing 11 year old Shawn Hornbeck from Richwoods, Missouri. Family, friends and volunteers also came together and searched for Shawn when he vanished from near his home in October of 2002. After tens of thousands of man hours searching for Shawn and learning techniques of how to properly search the group of dedicated volunteers decided that they would form an official Search and Rescue Team that would help search for other missing loved ones. In 2007 Shawn was found SAFE after being abducted for more than 4 years and 3 months!
Missouri Valley Search and Rescue has primarily been a Ground Search/Command Operations team that has provided trained volunteers to assist with other SAR resources who were primarily K-9 teams, with little flanker support. This model worked for us for many years but in 2023 we started up our K-9 division with the introduction of 2 K-9's for the team. We also began our Drone Search program to provide a unique asset on searches.
In October of 2024 one of our Sister/Mutual-Aid teams, Four Rivers K9 Search and Rescue out of Paducah, Kentucky merged into Missouri Valley as a Branch Team for us providing us with needed K-9 resources. This merger of the 2 teams expanded our range of service to cover all or part of 160 counties in 6 states. We are able to respond to searches from Quincy, IL to Nashville, TN. As of early 2025 we have approximately 40 members within the team and are looking to expand even more in the future!