COUNTY 17 FIRE & RESCUE

07/27/2026

Interesting

07/22/2026

Pretty cool

03/03/2026

I received a great question from one of our neighboring county agencies recently. They asked how much of our budget was dedicated to aviation. The answer may surprise you:

• We have three helicopters that were given to the Sheriff's Office through the Dept of Defense 1033 plan. Cost = $0

• We have two deputies who are trained pilots. One is a retired Army helicopter pilot. Their pay scale is the same as that of any other deputy or supervisor on patrol. = $0 extra

• Yearly maintenance cost on the helicopters (combined)? = $14,000 (the equivalent maintenance cost of 2 patrol vehicles per helicopter)

• How much fuel does the helicopter use? = $54.78/hour when airborne. A patrol Tahoe on duty averages $20 - $23/hour.

• How much does the hangar cost in rental and storage? The Shelby County Airport and County Commission provide for the hangar = $0

• Does the helicopter fly every day? No - dependent on weather and flight conditions

• How many missions have been flown? = Over 1,307

• Lives saved? = Priceless!

Whether it is a lost child in the woods, an overdue boater, an injured hunter, a missing hiker, or offering assistance to our deputies in the pursuit and apprehension of fleeing suspects, our Aviation Unit is more than a helicopter. It is a resource that adds to the services we provide at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office to keep our communities safe.

With an added team of drone operators providing 24 hr operation and deployment to patrol, the jail, narcotics investigators, special operations, and criminal investigations, they serve as a force multiplier to the critical life-saving mission of our Aviation Unit.

02/22/2026

02/22/2026

12/25/2025

A lot to be thankful for this year