Gene Saunders

Posted in Board - June 20, 2017 - 2 comments

About the Chief

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Founder and Chief Executive Officer Project Lifesaver International Chief of Search and Rescue Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office (Virginia 43rd Search and Rescue).

General Studies, Old Dominion University/ Tidewater Community College, Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville, extensive military and police Special Operations Training and experience.

Career Experience

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  • Retired Police Captain Chesapeake Police Department (Virginia). Retired February 2001 with 33 years of service:
  • Founded Chesapeake PD SWAT Team; commanded for 23 years
  • Commanding Officer of Training Academy, Vice & Narcotics, Criminal Investigations and Special Investigations
  • Served in various commands throughout police career
  • Certified Instructor in firearms, emergency vehicle pursuit and driving; General Police Instructor
  • Directed and Manage various large scale tactical operations involving criminal manhunts, hostage situations, and other special incidents/events
  • Served in National and State Guard commanding Aviation and Ranger Units, rank of Major
  • Certified Master Flight Officer for Helicopter Operations and Master Mission Specialist for Search & Rescue (SAR)Fixed Wing Operations
  • Shift Commander, 1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta, Georgia
  • 1983-present, serve in the 43rd Virginia SAR Company
  • 1986- 2009 served as Chief of 43rd Virginia SAR Company
  • Supervised and directed numerous SAR missions for downed aircraft, missing persons, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance
  • Certified Static Line and Free-fall Parachutist
  • Founder of Project Lifesaver: An innovative program employing creative strategies and the application of state-of-the art electronic transmitter technology to swiftly locate and rescue lost/wandering persons enrolled in the project

Memberships

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  • Member of National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR)
  • Member of Virginia Search and Rescue (SAR) Council
  • Member of Airborne Law Enforcement Association
  • Member of Pilot International
  • Board of Trustees – Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
  • Past President (5yrs) Board of Directors – Arbors at Cape Henry
  • Aircraft Owners/ Pilot Association (AOPA)
  • UDT/SEAL Association
  • Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Assoc.

Other

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  • Sworn Deputy – Chesapeake, VA Sheriff’s Office
  • Sworn Deputy – Norfolk County, MA Sheriff’s Office
  • Honorary Deputy – Lynchburg Sheriff’s Office
  • Guest Lecturer – Old Dominion University, College of William& Mary, Tidewater Community College and Radford University.
  • Lead and supporting roles in national TV’s “The New Detectives,” “FBI Files”, “The Prosecutors”, and “Untold Stories of the Navy SEALS”, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
  • 2005 Delegate to the White House Conference on Aging
  • International Chiefs of Police Missing Alzheimer’s Patient Initiative Committee

Awards

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  • Police – Silver Star for Valor (3), Meritorious Service (3), Line of Duty Injury, Chief’s Award for Leadership, Outstanding Young Man, Officer of the Quarter, Star Performer (2) and numerous commendations
  • Sheriff – Sheriff’s Achievement (2), Distinguished Volunteer Service, Meritorious Service – SAR (2), Disaster Relief (7), 30 Mission Bar, Lifesaving (3), Unit Commendation(4), Project Lifesaver Mission (140), Carlos Hathcock Award (2) and Military Service
  • 2001 – SWAT Service Commendation from the President of the United States
  • National – Lifesaver Mission Award; Exceptional Service Award
  • Masonic – “Building Communities Award” (2)
  • 2005- Care Track – Leadership, Vision Award
  • Who’s Who – 1989 American Law Enforcement; 1991 Who’s Who in Law Enforcement
  • 2004 – Strathmores – America Leaders; 2005 _ABI Directory of Experts, 2005 ABI Man of the Year
  • WAVY TV ” Shining Star Award”
  • ABI American Medal of Honor
  • Lt. Col. Civil Air Patrol (Ret>0 – Commandant – Middle East Region Staff College (4 years); Squadron Commander – 5 years
  • ABI Hall of Fame 2006
  • America’s Most Wanted TV Show All-Star Nominee 2008
  • Bank of America Local Hero Award 2009
  • WEGO Health Activist Hero 2014 Finalist
  • Medal of Honor Foundation 2015 National “Citizen Service Before Self Finalist”