The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) used an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to help find a missing man over the Memorial Day weekend. At 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, the NCSO Dispatch Center received a call of a missing person in the area of Highway 260 and the Clay Springs turnoff. The missing man was described as in his mid-50s with some health issues. His motorcycle was found at Cole’s Livery at the turnoff. It was suspected that he walked into the forest area east of that location. Responding deputies requested the assistance of NCSO’s UAV to assist in the search. Deputies who are UAV pilots responded to the scene and began searching utilizing the UAE. The missing man was located 45 minutes later about a quarter-mile east and 350 yards north of where his motorcycle was found. The UAE provided coordinates so ground searchers could reach him. He was disoriented and dehydrated, but in good health. This was the first mission that the UAE was used on. The ability to use this tool for search and rescue can save lives and hours of manpower. Sheriff K.C. Clark commented, “The application of UAV’s will revolutionize law enforcement as the two-way radio and computer did.”
