On April 8, 2016 the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office received a missing person report. A ground and air search was conducted on April 20 & 21 to loacate the missing person, but was unsuccessful. Based on information received during the investigation, a determination was made to conduct a more thorough land search utilizing a system called Land Search Management. Sergeant Koontz utilized this system to prepare the more extensive search of Tanglewood Park. This was the largest missing person search in the history of the FCSO.

Sergeant Koontz led the operations section of the event ensuring that each search group received instruction and assistance as needed to carry out their mission. Even though the person was not located, a very thorough search of the area was done that enabled investigators to concentrate on other areas and leads as they were received. Without Sergeant Koontz’s training and experience in the area of land searches additional time and resources would have be used. He is commended for his actions in the search and his dedication to the citizens of Forsyth County.