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When disaster strikes, these hard-working people who get paid nothing answer the call in DeSoto County

By , Daily Memphian Published: April 05, 2026 4:00 AM CT

In DeSoto County, joining the local Search and Rescue unit means logging thousands of training hours, swimming miles in open water and responding to traumatic scenes at a moment’s notice.

And the pay for all those duties is exactly zero.

The positions are strictly volunteer on every level, offering no county insurance or financial benefits.

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DeSoto County DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Johnathon Bigham search and rescue Subscriber Only

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Brandon LaGrone II

Brandon LaGrone II

Brandon LaGrone Jr. is a Bluff City native who has earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from LSU’s Manship School. He’s written for publications including The (Baton Rouge) Advocate and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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