The Dixon County Sheriff's Office recently received a tremendous boost to their drone program with grants from The Gardner Foundation and Larry The Cable Guy's Git-R-Done Foundation.
With these funds the Sheriff's Office was able to add two thermal drones, a DJI Matrice 4TD and an Autel Evo Max 4T, as well as a tactical interior drone, the DJI Avata 2.
The drone program started out humbly about four years ago with a personal drone owned by 911 Dispatcher and FAA Licensed Drone Pilot Scott Webb. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office donated a DJI Mavic 2 Pro to the Dixon County Sheriff's Office in 2024, as they updated their fleet.
Drones have become a force multiplier for Public Safety agencies; an eye in the sky with thermal capabilities that are able to cover more area quickly and see things that are not visible from the ground level.
The Dixon County Sheriff's Office also expressed gratitude to other agencies for help in drone training. Travis Rozeboom and Nicholas Brobst of The Papillion Police Office have included the Dixon County Sheriff's Office in monthly Joint Drone Training. Webb has participated in these multi-agency exercises to work on various proficiencies and gain knowledge from some of the most experienced drone pilots in the state.
Find the complete information on page 3A of the Feb. 12 edition in the Wayne Herald or subscribe today by clicking here.
