SHARON WARD | Attorney, Volunteer, and Teacher in Gold Beach, Oregon

Sharon Ward Oregon - based Search and Rescue professional, Master Visual Tracker, canine handler, and long-standing legal practitioner with more than two decades of direct service to law enforcement, emergency response teams, and public safety organizations across the United States. Since 1998, she has been actively involved in training, operational deployments, and interagency support for missing-person searches and crime scene investigations.

Visit her professional website - https://rogueliving.net

Professional Search & Rescue Background

Sharon Ward serves as a Senior Instructor with the JHPTS, specializing in sign cutting, visual tracking, and advanced field-tracking techniques. Her instruction is widely recognized by Sheriff’s Offices, Police Departments, and Search & Rescue teams throughout the country.

Her expertise includes:

• Sign Cutting & Master Tracking

• Missing-person search operations

• Field investigations support

• Cadaver canine deployments

• SAR dog handling

• Crime scene tracking support

• Interagency coordination for federal and state search operations

Sharon has contributed to high-priority missions across multiple jurisdictions and is frequently called upon by state or federal agencies when specialized visual tracking and canine support is required.

Canine Search & Rescue Leadership

Sharon currently volunteers with Pacific Crest Search Dogs and Coos County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue. Her work includes training, field readiness, scent-detection protocols, and real-time operational deployments.

She also sits on the Board of Cowlitz County Search & Rescue, where she contributes to overall training standards, operational policy development, and team development initiatives.

Her mentorship and training programs have strengthened multiple SAR teams throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Legal Career and Professional Practice

In addition to her Search & Rescue work, Sharon Ward has maintained a successful law practice for over 25 years, supporting clients with professionalism, experience, and deep commitment to community service.

Her experience in both legal and SAR fields provides Sharon with a rare combination of analytical capability, situational awareness, and public-service integrity.

Training & Instruction for Governmental Agencies

For more than two decades, Sharon has provided instruction to:

• County Sheriff’s Offices

• Municipal Police Departments

• Federal Law Enforcement Agencies

• US Military Special Forces

• Volunteer Search & Rescue Units

• Canine Tracking Teams

• Interagency Coordinated Response Groups

Her training programs are grounded in field-proven methodology and emphasize:

• Evidence-based tracking techniques

• Search strategy optimization

• K9 search deployment

• Scene assessment

• Public-safety coordination

Community Service & Interagency Support

Sharon remains deeply involved in Oregon and Washington’s emergency response community, contributing thousands of volunteer hours to public safety missions, law enforcement support, and community search efforts.

Her record reflects:

• 25+ years of legal service

• 27+ years in Search & Rescue

• Leadership roles in canine SAR organizations

• Long-term community volunteerism

• Trusted instructor to first responders and SAR personnel