Madison, News, RSS Facebook, RSS General, Schools
 By  GreggParker Published 
2:53 pm Friday, October 5, 2012

‘Mad Dog’ Messmer returns for Red Ribbon Week

Dale “Mad Dog” Messmer will share his harrowing life story and brutally honest advice to Madison students during Red Ribbon Week.

Dale 'Mad Dog' Messmer

Messmer’s STOP, or Straight Talk Outreach Program, has been endorsed numerous U.S. law enforcement agencies, juvenile courts and school systems. His message’s emphasis is “Choices.” “I made some bad ones … and paid the price,” he said.

Messmer’s schedule on Oct. 23 includes Liberty Middle School, 8:20 and 10 a.m.; James Clemens High School, 10 a.m.; St. John the Baptist Catholic School, 12:30 p.m.; and Discovery Middle School, 2 p.m.

During his turbulent life, Messmer was medically/honorably discharged from the U.S. Marines. He then worked as a mercenary, bounty hunter, bodyguard, pilot, stuntman, actor and was even a Screen Actor’s Guild member.

However, his most infamous notoriety was appearing on the FBI’s most wanted list for 18 months. He was involved in various legitimate business enterprises that eventually lead to him smuggling drugs in his own aircraft for the infamous Pablo Escobar Cocaine Cartel.

Messmer was convicted of numerous crimes, ranging from money laundering, cocaine smuggling and distribution to possession of automatic weapons and explosives.

Messmer spent almost 11 years in maximum-security prisons in four states. “I will share some hard-learned lessons, so you can learn from my experiences and not have to learn the hard way,” he said.

After his release from prison, Mad Dog founded STOP to take his message to more than 1 million youth in more than 1,700 schools and youth-oriented organizations in 41 states in the last 17-plus years. He is a regular guest on “The Maury Povich Show” for managing at-risk teens at a boot camp.

Messmer hopes to give youth an example of what not to choose in life, so they won’t have to learn about the dangers of drugs, gangs, violence, prison and death the hard way.

Event sponsors are PTAs at Liberty, James Clemens and Discovery; St John’s Catholic School; Madison City PTA Council; and Madison Police Foundation.

For more information, visit mad-dog.org.

Also on The Madison Record
Huntsville launches inaugural Rocket City Space Fest
A: Main, Events, Madison County Record, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
July 8, 2026
HUNTSVILLE - Following America 250 celebrations, the new Rocket City Space Fest will celebrate Huntsville’s contributions to America’s space program. ...
New principal named for Columbia Elementary, other admin positions filled
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
STAFF REPORTS staff@themadisonrecord.com 
July 8, 2026
MADISON - The Madison City Board of Education last week filled several school administrative positions, including Mill Creek Assistant Principal Kiley...
Bank Independent conducting annual School Share Drive
Business, Madison County Record, News, ...
STAFF REPORTS staff@themadisonrecord.com 
July 8, 2026
NORTH ALABAMA Bank Independent has launched its 13th annual School Share drive, which began June 29. This year’s drive will once again support local s...
Beat the heat with fun events at the Madison and Triana libraries
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 8, 2026
MADISON – With the thermometer exploding, the public libraries in Madison and Triana can provide cooler spaces and ‘cool’ sessions to learn and have f...
Heritage Elementary School urges parents to ‘build readers, build leaders’
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 8, 2026
MADISON – No one can argue about the importance of reading for a child’s education. Heritage Elementary School is offering an easy-to-do set of daily ...
Gray well liked at Madison Elementary School as Staff Member of the Year
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 8, 2026
MADISON – At Madison Elementary School, David Gray rarely, if ever, receives the spotlight, but let a problem with the plumbing or air conditioning ar...
Tabitha Sadler’s work ethic leads to ‘Staff Member of the Year’ at Rainbow Elementary
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 8, 2026
MADISON – Her colleagues at Rainbow Elementary School have honored Tabitha Sadler as “Staff Member of the Year.” “It meant so much to me to hear that ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *