Drone locates hidden assault suspect in freezing cold

Synopsis

When Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an aggravated battery call, they knew the suspect had fled on foot after a violent assault. Despite setting up a perimeter, ground units with K9s struggled to locate him in the dark, freezing temperatures.

That’s when the department’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) program changed the outcome. A drone operator launched quickly to assist, scanning the area with thermal imaging. Within minutes, the operator identified a heat signature inside an abandoned truck—a shoeless suspect hiding from deputies.

The aerial view allowed deputies to coordinate a quiet and controlled approach, leading to a safe arrest without the suspect ever realizing he was being observed.

By using real-time aerial intelligence, Escambia County deputies were able to bring a violent offender into custody safely, even under challenging nighttime conditions.