On the morning of July 2, 2025, Floyd County officers responded to a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert for a stolen vehicle reported to be entering the county via Highway 411. Officers quickly located the vehicle, but when they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver fled. A brief vehicle pursuit followed and ended when the stolen vehicle crashed into a traffic light pole on Calhoun Avenue.
After the crash, both occupants exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. The driver, Ronoldo Hughes, was apprehended following a short foot pursuit by responding officers. The other occupant managed to escape into a wooded and overgrown area nearby.
To assist in the search, Corporal Taylor and K9 Waylon, a trained bloodhound, were called to the scene while multiple agencies set up a perimeter. Despite the challenging conditions, including thick kudzu, Waylon picked up the fleeing suspect’s scent and began tracking. After trailing the scent for approximately a quarter mile, Waylon successfully located the second suspect, identified as Jarvis Adams, hiding in the dense underbrush. Adams was taken into custody without further incident.
This track marked a significant milestone for K9 Waylon, as it was his first successful apprehension in an active criminal investigation. Waylon is a 2-year-old bloodhound who has been in service with Floyd County for approximately 18 months. He is highly trained in scent tracking and is also imprinted and training for cadaver work.
K9 Waylon is primarily deployed for locating missing persons, including lost children, individuals with special needs, or those suffering from Alzheimer’s. But his skill set is equally effective in criminal tracking.
Bloodhounds possess one of the most powerful noses of all the canine breeds. They have approximately 300 million scent receptors (compared to about 5 million in humans), allowing them to detect and differentiate even the faintest of scent trails. Their long, droopy ears and wrinkled skin help trap scent particles, funneling them toward their nose as they track.
Each person has a distinct scent made up of skin cells, oils, and perspiration, and bloodhounds are capable of following a single individual’s scent over long distances and difficult terrain, even days after a person has passed through an area. They can remain focused on one unique scent and ignore all others, making them incredibly valuable in multiple situations
“Bloodhounds like K9 Waylon bring a unique skillset that’s a great asset to our community,” said Sheriff Roberson. “Having them close by means we’re better equipped to help when someone is missing, in need, or even running from the scene of a crime!”
This incident was an excellent example of a team effort between Floyd County E911, the Floyd County Police Department, the Rome Police Department, & the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.
