Santa Cruz County Search and Rescue

Santa Cruz County Search and Rescue Santa Cruz County Search and Rescue is a volunteer group, available 24/7 to respond to emergencies.

The roots of the Santa Cruz County Search and Rescue Team reach back to 1972, when Search and Rescue was a function of Explorer Post 613. It maintained a “well- trained Search and Rescue unit,” consisting of around 23 members. The team was assigned a regular deputy to supervise and administer training. What began as an area of responsibility for the Explorer Post has become a full-fledged Search a

nd Rescue team, composed of many team members and several search dogs. The SAR team works with the Sheriff’s Office and with other teams, such as the Motorcycle Posse, the Mounted Posse, and similar teams from other counties (via mutual aid).While the number of volunteers has remained about the same over the years, the need grew for a more specialized Search and Rescue team. After many years of being a tremendous resource for the Sheriff’s Office, both in Search and Rescue involvement and in public service details, the Search and Rescue Team was recognized as a separately functioning unit in 1984. SAR Team members put in many hours of time each year, both in training and in performing searches. They have carried out their jobs on foot, in vehicles, and in the air. Searchers have been deployed for adults, children, and evidence. Rescue operations have been made for hikers, bikers, joggers, lost children, people with Alzheimer’s, and despondent individuals. While the searches are never easy, often requiring hours of hiking and lost sleep, the team members give unflagging support to the cause. Their time and effort continue to provide valuable search and rescue service to Santa Cruz County and beyond.

02/14/2026

Identification on recovered body

The body recovered on January 18, 2026, in the area of Smith Grade and Moore Ranch Road has been identified as 73-year-old Jeanne Burke.

The Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to Ms. Burke’s family and friends during this tragic time.

We are grateful to the many agencies that assisted in the search efforts, as well as to the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team for their persistence and dedication in locating Ms. Burke despite the challenges they faced.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office also thanks the community for its continued support, care, and patience throughout the search

01/21/2026

On January 17th and 18th, 2026, search efforts for Jeanne Burke continued in the area of Smith Grade and Moore Ranch Road. On the afternoon of January 18th, a body was discovered in a densely wooded area within the identified search zone.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner's Office has not yet determined the identity of the recovered individual. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Santa Cruz County Search and Rescue Team for their resilience and dedication throughout the search efforts, and to thank the community and all assisting agencies who have traveled to support the continued search for Ms. Burke.

11/26/2025

*UPDATE 11/25/25*

Search and rescue personnel continue to analyze the more than 3,500 miles covered during the 6 days of searching.

Search and Rescue teams are carefully reviewing tracking points collected from ground crews, day and night search operations, K9 units, and drone flights. This analysis helps them pinpoint any remaining areas of interest and determine the most effective locations for the next search efforts.

This morning a small search team was sent out after reviewing data and tips. Unfortunately nothing was found.

We will continue to follow up on any new information that becomes available. Anyone with information is urged to contact us at 831-471-1121

11/26/2025

*UPDATE 11/23/25*

Day 6 of the search efforts continues for 73-year-old Jeanne Burke. Today, 115 Search and Rescue team members from Santa Cruz County, Fresno County, Yolo County, San Mateo County, Cal-SAR, CoCo County, Placer County, Marin County, San Louis Obispo, Merced County, and Civil Air Patrol continue to search the rugged terrain.

The focus remains on Smith Grade Road, Moore Ranch Road, and the surrounding areas. We continue to ask residents to check their properties, please.

The continued support from the community in spreading the word, providing information, and sharing our social media posts has been an enormous help. We are doing our best to provide updates as they become available.

We again want to extend our sincere gratitude to all the agencies that have assisted us in this search effort and continue to do so. This search would be near impossible without them.

11/20/2025

We’re still working tirelessly on the ongoing missing person investigation.

If you live near the Rio Beach Flats area and have any camera footage (home cameras, Ring/doorbell, surveillance, or dashcam), we are looking for footage between November 5th and 7th. Please contact the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office so that detectives can review it.

Please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 831-471-1121. We appreciate you help!

https://www.facebook.com/100069280536875/posts/1244131484572858/?mibextid=wwXIfr
11/20/2025

https://www.facebook.com/100069280536875/posts/1244131484572858/?mibextid=wwXIfr

**UPDATE**

The search for Jeanne is ongoing. Search and Rescue continues to follow up on leads and conduct search efforts. New information has been developed that Jeanne was last seen yesterday at 4:30 p.m. in the area of Moore Ranch Road. If you live in or are in the surrounding area, please check your property and cameras, if you have them. If you have any information on Jeanne’s whereabouts, please contact us at 831-471-1121.

If you see orange, it might be the SAR team near the Santa Cruz Harbor conducting their monthly training.
08/29/2025

If you see orange, it might be the SAR team near the Santa Cruz Harbor conducting their monthly training.

https://www.facebook.com/100069280536875/posts/1143441104641897/?d=n&mibextid=wwXIfr
07/27/2025

https://www.facebook.com/100069280536875/posts/1143441104641897/?d=n&mibextid=wwXIfr

Please be on the lookout for 15-year-old Nicholas Magana-Zamora. Nicholas was last seen around 11:00 AM yesterday leaving his residence in Watsonville. At the time he was believed to be in the area of Laken Dr and E. Lake Ave.

Nicholas is approximately 5'5" with brown hair, brown eyes and last seen wearing a gray shirt, green jacket, blue jeans, and riding a multi colored mountain bike.

If anyone has any information or has seen Nicholas, please contact us at 831-471-1121

06/19/2025

Santa Cruz County Homicide Suspect arrested in Switzerland

On May 29th, 2025, 54-year-old James Smallwood was arrested in connection with the death of his father, 90-year-old Robert Smallwood.

On May 18th, 2025, relatives of Robert Smallwood reported him missing after not being able to contact him for several days. On May 19th, Sheriff’s detectives, with the assistance of the SCSO Search and Rescue team, conducted a search of Robert’s residence and property on Jarvis Road. During the search, a deceased person, later identified as Robert Smallwood, was located. An autopsy later determined the manner of death to be a homicide.

Sheriff’s detectives and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office conducted a joint investigation which quickly determined that the person responsible for the death was the decedent’s son, James Smallwood. James had been living with the decedent and had fled to Switzerland prior to the discovery of his father’s body. Investigators worked with the Swiss government, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to locate James Smallwood and take him into custody.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the SCSO Search and Rescue Team, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, our Forensics Unit, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and Swiss authorities for their critical assistance throughout this investigation.
James Smallwood is currently being held in Switzerland pending extradition proceedings. Upon his return to Santa Cruz County, he will be booked into the Main Jail on the following charges:

Count 1: Murder, a felony, in violation of California Penal Code 187(a)
Count 2: Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse, a felony, in violation of California Penal Code 368(b)(1)
Count 3: Unlawful Driving or taking of a Vehicle, a felony, in violation of California Vehicle Code 10851(a)
Counts 4, 5, 6 and 7: Identity Theft, as felonies, in violation of California Penal Code 530.5(a)

Address

5200 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA
95062

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