The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has added three aircraft to its Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program, a move officials say will improve emergency response, search-and-rescue capabilities, and scene documentation across the county.
The new fleet includes:
-
DJI Mavic 3 Thermal (M3T): thermal imaging and optical zoom for missing-person searches and night operations.
-
Autel Alpha: enterprise platform designed for longer flight times, stability in harsh conditions, and advanced mapping.
-
DJI Avata 2 FPV: fast, highly maneuverable drone for real-time situational awareness during tactical operations and training.
Certified pilots Sgt. Lane Vestal and Investigator Clarence Hall Jr. completed FAA training to operate the drones on missions such as search and rescue, disaster response and damage assessment, crime scene and crash documentation, and support for firefighting and other emergency services.
Sheriff Travis Patten said the drones were purchased without taxpayer funds, using money confiscated from drug arrests.
“These tools help us respond faster, cover more ground, and keep both deputies and citizens safer,” Patten said.
