Location: Porterville Airport

Incident Date: 9/27/17

Incident Time: 0900 hours

City: Porterville

Posted by: Media Relations

Sheriff Mike Boudreaux unveiled two new aircraft and multiple drones Sept. 27, 2017 at the Porterville Airport, which is the new home for the Sheriff’s Aviation Support Unit.

In February of 2016, the Sheriff’s Office was devastated by the crash of the department’s light sport aircraft Sheriff One and the loss of Sheriff’s Pilot James Chavez and Tactical Flight Officer Scott Ballantyne. But with resolve, the Sheriff’s Office has become stronger and even more committed to the service and protection of the citizens of Tulare County through aerial support. 

“The population of Tulare County has grown big enough that it demands the need for aerial support for law enforcement and to increase the safety of our communities and to protect our agricultural partners,” Sheriff Boudreaux said.

Through Sheriff Mike Boudreaux’s leadership and vision, the Sheriff’s Office has two new airplanes to keep a watchful eye over Tulare County. They are a Cessna 182 which seats four, and a Cessna 206 which seats six. 

 
These aircraft are currently in the process of being outfitted with state of the art law enforcement avionics. 

The Sheriff’s Cessna 182 is named Wren in honor of the first Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputy who was killed in the line of duty. Deputy John “Nick” Wren, 40, lost his life on July 5, 1889.

Wren's tail numbers are 705JW for Dep. Wren's End of Watch date, July 5 and his initials, JW.

 
Wren will be the Sheriff’s patrol-based plane and the Sheriff’s eyes in the sky, assisting deputies and other law enforcement agencies on the ground using high-tech surveillance equipment and cameras. Statistics indicate that when the Sheriff’s patrol aircraft is on duty, property crime and theft decrease while criminal apprehensions increase. These aircraft also provide superior officer safety for deputies and officers on the ground.

The Sheriff’s Cessna 206 is named Tribute in honor and in tribute to the fallen, including Dep. Ballantyne and Pilot Chavez. Tribute's tail numbers 189JC combine Dep. Ballantyne's Badge No. 189 with Pilot Chavez's initials, JC.

Tribute will be the Sheriff’s utility-based plane, taking an important role in supplementing search and rescue missions, clandestine marijuana detection operations throughout the County, inmate transportation and high-profile investigations. 

The insurance money from the plane crash and operational budget savings has allowed for the purchase of the aircraft which will provide safety to the men and women in uniform on the ground and a safer community for Tulare County.

Both planes provide a strengthened aviation platform and complement the success of the Sheriff’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) drone program. Sheriff Boudreaux is on the cutting edge of law enforcement UAV programs and here is why: 

The Sheriff is the first in the State to assign UAV’s at the patrol level. The Sheriff’s Office now has a UAV and Deputy Operator assigned to every Substation in the County. Just like a K9 and handler, this allows for the immediate response of a UAV when needed by the Sheriff’s Office or other local agencies anywhere in Tulare County. 

There are a total of eight drones and seven drone operators in the Sheriff’s UAV Unit, including five for patrol, one for detectives and one for detentions, with an additional drone dedicated for training. 

Heading up the UAV Program is Cpl. William Seymour, whom Sheriff Boudreaux chose to be the first full-time operator a year ago. 

“Cpl. Seymour is sought after by other agencies statewide and beyond for his expertise,” Sheriff Boudreaux said. “Next month, he will speak at the Drone World Expo in San Jose.”

The drones were paid for with funds from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program and through operational budget savings.

Drones save money in time and resources.  For example, when used in a search and rescue mission, or if a child is missing, Cpl. Seymour can clear an area in minutes with his drone, while it could take hours and numerous officers without the drone.

Also, it’s safer to use a drone to monitor an armed barricaded suspect instead of putting deputies, or the subject, at risk for their lives. 

At the Sheriff’s Office, drone usage is mission specific for finding lost children and at-risk adults, search and rescue operations as well as SWAT details, and crime scene photography.  The UAV unit was developed to supplement patrol and is not used for surveillance.

“Whether patrolling high in the skies with our aircraft or responding to emergency incidents with our UAV Units, the Sheriff’s Office is making a difference in securing the safety and improving the quality of life for everyone in Tulare County,” Sheriff Boudreaux said.