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
FESTIVAL TIME! The 44th annual Madison Street Festival will be held Saturday in Madison’s historic downtown
B: Festival Time, B: Madison Record, B: The Madison Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 30, 2026
MADISON - Parade units are prepared to march. Musicians are in the wings. Artisan crafters and visual artists are prepared to show their creations. No...
The day starts with a parade!
B: Festival Time, B: Madison Record, B: The Madison Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 30, 2026
MADISON - No doubt, you’ll recognize someone at the Madison Street Festival Parade. Odds are you’ll be surprised at the number of neighbors, co-worker...
CRAFTERS COVE: Madison Street Festival’s market of quality, handmade goods
B: Festival Time, B: Madison Record, B: The Madison Record, ...
Madison Street Festival’s market of quality, handmade goods
Gregg Parker 
September 30, 2026
MADISON - Grab that perfect accent piece for your living room. Find a custom-made doll for your daughter. An original piece of artwork for the hallway...
Imagination soars as creativity opens in the exciting Children’s Area
B: Festival Time, B: Madison Record, B: The Madison Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 30, 2026
MADISON - With adventures everywhere you look, the Children’s Area at Madison Street Festival offers the perfect place for young festivalgoers to lear...
Madison Methodist to host third annual Veterans Dinner
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
By ERIN COGGINS erin@themadisonrecord.com 
September 24, 2026
MADISON - Madison Methodist Church will host its third annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. The free dinner evolved fro...
Trash Pandas welcome record playoff crowd; Shuckers force game 3 with 7-0 win
Madison County Record, News, Sports, ...
Southern League championship to be decided today at Toyota Field
By STAFF REPORTS 
September 23, 2026
MADISON – A Trash Pandas postseason-record crowd of 4,756 filled Toyota Field on Tuesday night—the largest crowd for a Southern League postseason game...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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