IAOTP names Project Lifesaver founder Chief Gene Saunders for 2027 Unsung Hero Award

The International Association of Top Professionals will honor Chief Gene Saunders at its 2027 Annual Awards Gala in Miami for his work leading Project Lifesaver and helping safely recover people with cognitive disorders who wander. Saunders has built the nonprofit into a network spanning 50 states, nine Canadian provinces, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Why it matters: - IAOTP’s Unsung Hero Award spotlights people whose work often happens out of public view but has direct impact on safety and quality of life. - Chief Gene Saunders has spent decades building tools and training for electronic search and rescue for vulnerable people, especially those at risk of wandering. - Project Lifesaver says its program has safely rescued more than 5,000 individuals and has given thousands of families peace of mind.

What happened: - The International Association of Top Professionals selected Chief Gene Saunders to receive its Unsung Hero Award for 2027. - IAOTP will present the award at its 2027 Annual Awards Gala in Miami, Florida, in December. - Saunders is the founder, CEO and chief director general of Lifesaver International, based in Port St. Lucie, Florida. - IAOTP described the award as recognition for dedication, compassion and behind-the-scenes service that makes a lasting difference.

The details: - Saunders founded Project Lifesaver International in 1999. - The organization now includes more than 1,600 public safety organizations across 50 states, nine provinces in Canada, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. - Project Lifesaver is a 501(c)(3) public safety nonprofit that works with law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel and caregivers. - The program is designed to protect and quickly locate people with cognitive disorders who are prone to life-threatening wandering. - Saunders spent 33 years with the Chesapeake Police Department in patrol, vice, narcotics, detectives and training. - He co-founded the department’s SWAT team in 1974 and served as tactical commander and team commander for 23 years, leading more than 800 operations. - He also served as chief investigator on multistate and international drug trafficking and organized crime cases. - Saunders was assigned to the Olympic Security Team for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and oversaw security for a major soccer venue. - After retiring from the Chesapeake Police Department in 2001 as a captain, he continued service in the National Guard and State Defense Force in infantry, airborne and ranger leadership roles. - His additional service includes the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, where he served as a senior squadron ranger commander and as commandant of the Middle East Region Staff College for five years. - Saunders is certified in pursuit driving, firearms, special operations, raid planning, general law enforcement and search and rescue. - He has also volunteered as a helicopter flight officer with the Virginia Beach Police Department and has years of skydiving experience. - His specialties listed in the release include search and rescue, training, investigations, nonprofit leadership, emergency services, SWAT operations, crisis management, homeland security and public speaking. - Saunders has earned a long list of honors, including IAOTP’s Most Inspirational Member award and Presidential Award in Military in 2024, Man of the Year in 2023 and Top CEO of the Year in 2021. - He has also received the Lifesaver of the Decade Award in 2025, Top Sponsor of the Decade and IAOTP’s Presidential Medal of Distinction in Public Safety and Humanitarian Service in 2026. - Earlier honors include the Local Hero Award from Bank of America, the Moving America Forward Award and the Hero Award from Pilot International, Virginia District. - Other recognitions cited in the release include three Commendation Medals, the Chief’s Leadership Award, three Line of Duty Injury Medals, three Silver Stars for Valor, a Presidential Commendation from President Bill Clinton and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation’s Service Before Self Citizens Honor Award. - Saunders is a sought-after speaker, has published articles on wandering and has appeared on programs including CBS’s The Early Show, Fox News, CNN, The Discovery Channel and William Shatner’s Moving America Forward. - He has also had roles on television series including The Prosecutors, The FBI Files, The New Detectives and The Untold Stories of the Navy SEALs. - A video is available at Watch his video here, and more information is available at Project Lifesaver.

Between the lines: - IAOTP uses its awards to reinforce its brand as a selective professional network and recognition platform. - The timing of the 2027 honor extends Saunders’ recent run of awards and keeps attention on Project Lifesaver’s public safety model. - The release frames Saunders’ career as a blend of law enforcement, military service and nonprofit leadership, which supports the “unsung hero” theme.

What’s next: - Saunders will be honored at IAOTP’s 2027 gala in Miami. - Project Lifesaver is expected to continue expanding its recovery and wandering-protection mission through its public safety partnerships. - Saunders said he will continue his mission of “Bringing Loved Ones Home.”