GPSAR NEWS
GPSAR NEWS — Greater Philadelphia Search and RescueGPSAR NEWS — Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue
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Greater Philadelphia Search & Rescue

We Find People.

Specialized missing person investigation, search, rescue and recovery utilizing animal, human and technological resources to produce real-world results. 

50+

Consecutive Years of Proven Operational Results

K9 / Drone / Tech

Integrated Capabilities

Results

Measured by Results, Not Searches

What We Do

Missing Person Search

Core mission. Coordinated search operations for missing individuals across the Greater Philadelphia region and beyond.

Wilderness Search & Rescue

Grid searches, hasty teams, and containment operations across rugged and forested terrain.

Technical Search Operations

Confined space, structural collapse, and complex environment search requiring specialized equipment and training.

K9 Deployment

Trailing, air scent, and human remains detection. Certified teams deployed on request.

Drone / Aerial Recon

Proven aerial reconnaissance. Real-time situational awareness for incident command.

GPS Mapping & Probability Search

Data-driven search strategies using probability of detection models and  GPS tracking.

Tools don't find people. Decisions do.

Service Area

Where We Operate

Active coverage across seven counties in southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.  Consultations throughout the United States.

Hover a county to see operation locations
PENNSYLVANIA NEW JERSEY DELAWARE RIVER BERKS 41 missing MONTGOMERY 67 missing BUCKS 44 missing CHESTER 31 missing DELAWARE 58 missing PHILA- DELPHIA 214 missing BURLINGTON 38 missing NJ
GPSAR Coverage
Delaware River
7 Counties

County Impact

Searches conducted and outcomes by county

Berks
84%
58 Searches49 Found
Montgomery
86%
91 Searches78 Found
Bucks
87%
63 Searches55 Found
Chester
87%
45 Searches39 Found
Delaware
84%
79 Searches66 Found
Philadelphia
80%
287 Searches231 Found
Burlington, NJ
83%
52 Searches43 Found

How We Work

Problem first. Terrain second.

Probability over hope.

Behavior patterns, not guesswork.

Reset when assumptions fail.

Integrate—not duplicate—local resources.

Request a Search

Emergency / Public Safety Only. Call 911 or Local Police. Request: Greater Philadelphia Search & Rescue.

Business Office: 877.255.5678 — Emergency agencies use Fireboard or make a direct call to Chief 2000.

We respond through official channels. No delays. No confusion.

Command Staff

Mark G. Hopkins

Mark G. Hopkins

Chief

Mark G. Hopkins

Chief

Eric Hoffman

Eric Hoffman

Assistant Chief

Eric Hoffman

Assistant Chief

Holly Clouse

Holly Clouse

Captain

Holly Clouse

Captain

Joe Vignola

Joe Vignola

Lieutenant

Joe Vignola

Lieutenant

Bill Hoffman

Bill Hoffman

Sergeant

Bill Hoffman

Sergeant

Roie Gat

Roie Gat

Sergeant

Roie Gat

Sergeant

Decades of field experience. Proven under pressure.

Work Matters Here

This is not a hobby. It's not casual. If you want real responsibility, step forward.

Get In Touch

Contact Us

General inquiries, volunteer interest, agency coordination, or media requests. Use the form below. For emergencies, call 911.

Business Office

877-598-5618

Emergency Activation

Call 911 or Local Police. Request: Greater Philadelphia Search & Rescue.

Support the Mission

100% volunteer. No cost to families. Your support keeps us operational.

GPSAR Donation QR Code
FAQ

GPSAR  FAQ

Missing person incidents are time-critical, complex, and often misunderstood. This FAQ explains how search and rescue works, when to act, and how GPSAR supports law enforcement and families.

The Fiscal Impact of Missing Person Incidents in Pennsylvania — annual taxpayer burden and value of volunteer response

When someone goes missing, time is the enemy.

GPSAR brings experience, structure, and results.

Myths vs Facts

Search & Rescue, Debunked

Misconceptions about missing person searches cost time and lives. Here's what's actually true.

Download the Printable Myth-Buster Guide
MYTH: Police will search right away without SAR help.
FACT: Law enforcement commands every search, but agencies routinely activate trained volunteer SAR teams like GPSAR for ground coverage, K9, and drone support they don't have in-house.
MYTH: You should wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing.
FACT: There is no waiting period. Report immediately — early activation dramatically increases the chance of a safe outcome.
MYTH: More untrained volunteers searching means faster results.
FACT: Uncontrolled searchers can trample evidence, get lost themselves, and slow down coordinated efforts. Trained, credentialed teams operate under Incident Command for a reason.
MYTH: Search dogs just follow a scent trail on the ground.
FACT: K9 teams are certified in multiple disciplines — air-scent, trailing, and human remains detection — each suited to different terrain and case types.
MYTH: Drones can replace ground searchers entirely.
FACT: Drones are a force multiplier for covering large or hazardous terrain quickly, but thermal imaging, thick canopy, and confirmation still require boots and K9s on the ground.
MYTH: Search and rescue teams charge for their services.
FACT: GPSAR responds to every activation at no cost to families or agencies — we're entirely volunteer-run and donor-supported.
MYTH: An adult has the right to disappear, so there's nothing to investigate.
FACT: Adults may leave voluntarily, but that doesn't establish the disappearance was safe or free from coercion, injury, or self-harm. Capacity, opportunity, and intent all have to be assessed first.
MYTH: A runaway isn't truly missing.
FACT: "Runaway" describes a suspected behavior, not a child's current safety. A juvenile can still be exposed to exploitation, trafficking, or medical danger and deserves a full assessment.
MYTH: "Last seen" and "last known point" mean the same thing.
FACT: They're not interchangeable. "Last seen" is the last reported observation; "last known position" is the best-supported location based on all available evidence — mixing them up can center a search in the wrong place.
MYTH: If nothing was found, nothing was there.
FACT: A negative result is information, not proof of absence — its meaning depends on coverage, terrain, and search method. Crews document limitations and reallocate probability rather than assume certainty.
MYTH: If a K9 doesn't alert, the subject was never there.
FACT: A non-alert isn't proof of absence — wind, humidity, contamination, and incomplete access can all suppress usable scent. It's one data point, evaluated alongside everything else.
MYTH: Thermal imaging sees through trees, walls, or water.
FACT: Thermal cameras only detect surface temperature differences — vegetation, structures, and water can obscure or imitate a human heat signature, so every thermal hit is treated as a clue requiring confirmation.
MYTH: Nightfall means the search has to stop.
FACT: Darkness changes the risk calculation but doesn't end operations — it can even improve thermal contrast and sound detection. The decision is made based on survivability, terrain, and safety, not the clock.
MYTH: An AMBER Alert is issued whenever a child goes missing.
FACT: AMBER and adult-alert systems have specific jurisdictional criteria. Not meeting them doesn't mean the case is unimportant — agencies still have BOLOs, NCMEC coordination, and targeted public requests as alternatives.
MYTH: If the subject wasn't found, the search failed.
FACT: Some missions remain unresolved despite disciplined, correct work. Failure means an agency delayed, ignored available resources, or stopped because assumptions felt comfortable — not that a subject wasn't located.
Excerpts from Endorsements

Excerpts from Endorsements

Incident Command Reality

"They integrate cleanly into Incident Command without ego. You give them an objective, they execute. No noise, no confusion—just results."

Mission Focus

"They're not there for recognition or funding—they're there to find people. That mindset changes how they operate."

System Gap Filler

"There's a gap between law enforcement investigation and technical rescue. GPSAR fills that gap better than anyone in this region."
01

Law Enforcement Perspective

"GPSAR brings something most agencies can't replicate—experienced search personnel who understand terrain, behavior, and time. When they're on a case, the search moves faster and with purpose."
02

Incident Command Reality

"They integrate cleanly into Incident Command without ego. You give them an objective, they execute. No noise, no confusion—just results."
03

Operational Effectiveness

"GPSAR consistently covers ground that traditional response units simply don't have the training or time to handle. That difference matters in the first 24 hours."
04

Reliability Under Pressure

"They show up when others hesitate—middle of the night, bad weather, difficult terrain. That reliability builds trust quickly."
05

Cost vs Capability

"From a county standpoint, the value is undeniable. You're getting highly trained, field-proven responders without the long-term cost burden of maintaining that capability internally."
06

Specialized Skill Set

"Search is not rescue, and GPSAR understands that distinction. Their strength is locating the subject efficiently so the rest of the system can do its job."
07

Canine Program Credibility

"Their canine teams meet real-world standards, not just certification checkboxes. You can see it in how they work—controlled, disciplined, and effective."
08

Experience Over Credentials

"A lot of teams look good on paper. GPSAR proves it in the field. Experience shows in their decision-making and search strategy."
09

Multi-Agency Integration

"They work well with police, fire, and EMS without stepping on roles. That kind of interoperability is rare and extremely valuable."
10

Mission Focus

"They're not there for recognition or funding—they're there to find people. That mindset changes how they operate."
11

Community Impact

"Families don't care about organizational charts—they care about results. GPSAR gives them a real chance when time matters most."
12

System Gap Filler

"There's a gap between law enforcement investigation and technical rescue. GPSAR fills that gap better than anyone in this region."
13

Volunteer Strength

"You can't manufacture the level of commitment GPSAR volunteers bring. That kind of dedication doesn't clock out at the end of a shift."
14

Search Discipline

"They don't just 'look around.' They apply search theory, probability, and terrain analysis like professionals."
15

Proven Track Record

"We've used GPSAR before, and the outcome speaks for itself. When we need search capability, they're one of the first calls."
In The News

Media & Stories

Coverage of GPSAR operations and the people behind the mission.

GPSAR QR Code
Philadelphia Magazine

The Brilliant Misanthrope Who Finds Philadelphia's Missing

A long-form feature on GPSAR Chief Mark Hopkins — the physician-turned-search-strategist whose unconventional methods consistently find people others miss.

Read Article
Chestnut Hill Local

Mt. Airy Man Races Against Time to Save Missing and Lost Persons

Chief Hopkins and GPSAR are profiled in this community feature covering the team's rapid-response model, probability-based search, and decades of field results.

Read Article
NBC Philadelphia

Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue: The People Who Find the Missing

NBC Philadelphia reports on GPSAR's all-volunteer structure, specialized training, and the critical role the team plays across the region's most complex missing person cases.

Read Article
NBC Philadelphia

Body of NJ Woman Missing for Three Years Found

GPSAR assisted in the recovery of Angelina Cocuzza, a New Jersey woman missing for three years, in an operation that drew on the team's human remains detection capabilities.

Read Article
NBC Philadelphia

Missing Man with Cerebral Palsy Found After Multi-Day Search

Craig Fant, a man with cerebral palsy, was located in Bucks County after GPSAR coordinated search teams across multiple jurisdictions in a time-sensitive operation.

Read Article
NBC Philadelphia

Montgomery County Police Searching for Missing Teen with Autism

GPSAR joined Montgomery County authorities in the search for a missing teenager with autism, deploying behavioral-pattern search strategies adapted for the subject profile.

Read Article
6ABC Action News

GPSAR Assists in Active Local Search and Recovery Operation

6ABC Action News covered GPSAR's deployment alongside local law enforcement, highlighting the team's integration with agency command structures and rapid activation protocol.

Read Article
Chester Spirit

People Pray for the Lost — and GPSAR Comes to the Rescue

Chester Spirit covers a local community search in which GPSAR volunteers worked through the night to locate a vulnerable missing person, coordinating with residents and clergy.

Read Article
Philadelphia Inquirer

A Malvern Mother Vanished. A Year Later, It's a Murder Investigation.

The Inquirer traces the search for a missing Malvern mother, documenting GPSAR's role in the extended operation as it transitioned from missing person case to homicide investigation.

Read Article
Philadelphia Inquirer

Bucks Missing Men, Cadaver Dogs, 12 Feet Underground

GPSAR's cadaver K9 teams played a central role in a Bucks County search that required deep subsurface detection — locating remains more than 12 feet underground.

Read Article
7Online / ABC News

FBI Joins Search for Missing Philadelphia College Student

As the FBI joined the investigation into a missing Philadelphia-area college student, GPSAR provided field search coordination in a case that drew national media attention.

Read Article
Times Herald

Human Remains Discovered in Schuylkill Township

Following a prolonged search involving GPSAR, human remains were recovered in Schuylkill Township — bringing a resolution to a case that had gone cold for months.

Read Article
Times Herald

Family Asks for Help Locating Missing Norristown Man

GPSAR joined the search for a missing Norristown man at the family's request, deploying probability-based grid search teams as investigators worked the case.

Read Article
Daily Times

Body of Missing Man Found in Aston

Search teams including GPSAR located the body of a missing man in Aston, Delaware County, concluding a search operation that mobilized multiple agencies across the region.

Read Article
Crime Stories — Nancy Grace

Urgent: Little Charlotte, 9, Missing from Bike Ride

Podcast

GPSAR Chief Mark Hopkins appeared on Nancy Grace's Crime Stories podcast to provide expert search analysis in the urgent case of a 9-year-old girl missing from her neighborhood.

Read Article
YouTube — Video Report

GPSAR Field Operations — Broadcast News Segment

Video

A broadcast news segment documenting GPSAR operations in the field, featuring the team's search coordination methodology, K9 deployment, and incident command integration.

Read Article
YouTube — Video Report

GPSAR Search & Recovery — News Coverage

Video

Broadcast footage covering a GPSAR-led search and recovery operation, illustrating the team's real-world activation, field coordination, and working relationship with law enforcement.

Read Article
YouTube — Video Report

Inside a GPSAR Search Operation

Video

Video documentation of a GPSAR search operation, providing an inside look at team deployment, search grid management, and the operational tempo of a real missing person response.

Read Article
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In The Field

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MISSING PERSONS8
James Whitfield—Age 67·Montgomery County, PA·Last seen Jan 12, 2026Maria Santos—Age 14·Philadelphia, PA·Last seen Jan 18, 2026Robert Chen—Age 52·Bucks County, PA·Last seen Jan 9, 2026Eleanor Davis—Age 79·Delaware County, PA·Last seen Dec 28, 2025Tyler Moore—Age 22·Chester County, PA·Last seen Jan 15, 2026Patricia Gómez—Age 45·Burlington County, NJ·Last seen Jan 3, 2026David Kim—Age 31·Berks County, PA·Last seen Jan 20, 2026Sandra Okafor—Age 58·Chester County, PA·Last seen Jan 5, 2026James Whitfield—Age 67·Montgomery County, PA·Last seen Jan 12, 2026Maria Santos—Age 14·Philadelphia, PA·Last seen Jan 18, 2026Robert Chen—Age 52·Bucks County, PA·Last seen Jan 9, 2026Eleanor Davis—Age 79·Delaware County, PA·Last seen Dec 28, 2025Tyler Moore—Age 22·Chester County, PA·Last seen Jan 15, 2026Patricia Gómez—Age 45·Burlington County, NJ·Last seen Jan 3, 2026David Kim—Age 31·Berks County, PA·Last seen Jan 20, 2026Sandra Okafor—Age 58·Chester County, PA·Last seen Jan 5, 2026
09:39 AM
Philadelphia, PA
09:39:52 AMTue, Sep 22, 2026
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