WolfPack Search and Recovery is a nonprofit, volunteer organization committed to providing search and recovery services to public safety agencies since 2014.

The organization was founded by Jim Wilkins, Eric Brubacher and Chris Glass when a missing person case became personal.

Wilkins’ close friend and neighbor, Jessica Padgett, 33, of Whitehall, disappeared Nov. 21, 2014, after leaving her job in Northampton. Five days later, searchers recovered her body and the case was ruled a homicide.

Wilkins, Brubacher and Glass were so inspired by the nationwide team assisting in the search, they decided to establish a search and recovery organization in the Lehigh Valley.

The organization’s name originated when a volunteer noted how the trucks belonging to the founders looked similar, saying, “Here comes the wolf pack.”

Though every case is unique, clients go through the same standard procedure. Families must immediately contact the police and the victim has to meet specific criteria to be physically classified as missing, such as being underage, having health conditions, mental disabilities or drug issues.

The police then contact WolfPack, which assists law enforcement in mapping out coordinates, gathering tips and evidence and reassuring family members.

Wilkins said after WolfPack gets a call from police, the instant command system goes into effect, assessing the roles of everyone involved. In addition to mapping out the search areas, WolfPack prints out pictures of the victims with identifying information and logs into a database tracking volunteer’s whereabouts and the area volunteers are assigned for their safety. During a search, all found evidence is sent in for testing. All volunteers communicate through high-end radios.

The Lehigh Valley’s only search and recovery team, the organization has over 40 members and a K-9 unit.

The field team consists of fully certified, insured and trained volunteers as well as a group of highly trained K-9 tracking and trailing dogs and their handlers.

Certifications for volunteers range in skill sets such as K-9 handling, blood-borne pathogen courses, crime scene preservation, CPR/first aid and Department of Conservation and National Resources. The dogs are certified in areas such as scent tracking, man trailing and human remains detection. Volunteers train several times a month and the K-9 units train twice a week. Training, usually held nights and weekends, includes working with certified instructors from National Association of Search/Rescue and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

WolfPack’s central philosophy is about cooperation and brotherhood, not unlike their namesake.

There is no room for egos,” Wilkins said. “We are all here for one cause.”

Wilkins, chief of the field team, said he has seen the best come out of dedicated volunteers and from on-duty and off-duty officers.

WolfPack returns the favor by taking on cases the police sometimes can’t dedicate the necessary amount of time and effort to.

“Cops can only do so much. We can be in for the long haul,” Wilkins said.

In addition to the Padgett case, WolfPack was involved in the search for Holly Grim, of Lower Macungie, Jamie Lee Metzger, of Allentown and New Tripoli and Audrey Penn, of Salisbury Township.

Grim was reported missing Nov. 22, 2013, and her remains were found approximately three years later.

Metzer was reported missing in April 2014 and her remains were found Dec. 7, 2015.

Penn disappeared Aug. 23, 2017, from Woodland Terrace at Oaks Senior Living Community and was found Sept. 17, 2017, at the Beiber bus station/Charcoal Drive-In.

WolfPack is currently working on a 2-year-old cold case.

Wilkins said finding a victim can be a double-edge sword. He said finding a person dead provides closure for the family, bringing up Grim’s mother.

“The waiting and uncertainty took a toll on her well-being. Closure brings peace.”

Wilkins also said there is nothing better than bringing a person home, but it doesn’t always mean the situation is solved or made less complicated. “Most situations can be solved,” Wilkins said. “It’s never too late.”

One of the dogs involved with WolfPack, Alex, has several finds under her belt. When the dogs find a victim, there is a celebration with treats, kisses, praises, etc.

Wilkins said he wants WolfPack to increase its arsenal of equipment, particularly investing in mobile trailers. Donations are used toward insurance, training, laptops, generators and radios. Also he hopes to set up a central office location within a decade.

“If Jessica was never killed, WolfPack would’ve never happened,” Wilkins said. “She is the reason. She is the driving force. Jess is the reason for the spark.”

For more information on WolfPack Search and Recovery, visit www.wolfpacksr.com or call 610-704-6226.