Dixon County drone program takes off with new DJI thermal fleet

Dixon County is quietly building something impressive above the cornfields, not a runway or a tower, but a drone program that has grown from pure initiative into a serious public safety asset, powered by thermal vision, teamwork, and a little outside help, as Norfolk Daily News reports.

What started with one person and one personal drone has now become a small but capable aerial fleet designed to find people faster, keep deputies safer, and give responders an edge when seconds matter.

From one personal drone to a real aerial unit

The Dixon County Sheriff’s Office drone program began about four years ago in the most grassroots way imaginable. Scott Webb, a 911 dispatcher and FAA licensed drone pilot, brought his own personal drone to the table because he believed aerial awareness could make a difference. There was no formal program at first, just a problem solver with propellers.

That belief paid off.

In 2024, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office donated a DIT Mavic 2 Pro, giving Dixon County its first officially owned drone. It helped, but it also highlighted the limits of older platforms, especially at night or during searches where heat signatures tell a story the naked eye cannot see.

That gap has now been filled thanks to grants from the Gardner Foundation and Larry the Cable Guy’s Git-R-Done Foundation, funding that allowed the sheriff’s office to significantly upgrade its airborne capabilities.

New drones, new missions, and serious capability

With the new funding, Dixon County added three very different drones, each chosen for a specific role.

The DJI Matrice 4TD is the heavy lifter of the group. Built for public safety missions, it brings thermal imaging, long flight times, and the kind of stability you want when scanning large rural areas for missing people or tracking suspects after dark. This is the drone you send up when the search area is big and the pressure is high.

Alongside it is the Autel Evo Max 4T, another thermal equipped platform that adds redundancy and flexibility. Known for strong obstacle avoidance and smart flight features, it is well suited for complex environments and fast moving situations where pilots need confidence in both the aircraft and the sensors.

Then there is the DJI Avata 2, the smallest drone with arguably the boldest job. This is a tactical interior drone, built to fly through doorways, hallways, and unknown spaces so deputies do not have to be the first ones inside. For high risk calls, barricaded suspects, or buildings with limited visibility, this changes how decisions are made.

According to Webb, whether it is a missing child, an endangered adult, overwatch for officer safety, or locating a dangerous fugitive, drones have become a true game changer. They cover ground faster, see what humans cannot, and reduce risk for everyone involved.

Training is also expanding. Sheriff Tom Decker confirmed that chief deputy Rich Lamprecht is arranging Part 107 training for himself and two additional deputies, ensuring the program grows beyond a single pilot. The department has also leaned into joint training with the Papillion Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, learning from some of the most experienced drone pilots in the state through monthly multi agency exercises.

DroneXL’s Take

This is a smart, practical example of how a modern public safety drone program should grow. Dixon County did not chase buzzwords or flashy tech for headlines. They built capability step by step, added the right tools, and backed it up with training and cooperation.

The combination of a DJI Matrice 4TD for wide area thermal work, an Autel Evo Max 4T for flexibility and backup, and a DJI Avata 2 for interior operations shows real operational thinking. This is not a toy collection, it is a toolkit.

That said, I have one tiny gripe, and yes, it absolutely tickles my FPV nerve. In the training photos with the Avata 2, nobody is flying with their fingers in pinch position. Thumbs only, controllers held like a console from 2006. Is it allowed? Sure. Does it work? Mostly. Is it the best way to fly FPV in tight indoor spaces where precision matters? Not even close.

Pinch grip gives finer control, smoother inputs, and way more confidence when threading a drone through doorways and hallways, which is literally the entire point of flying an Avata indoors. Maybe it was just for the photo. Maybe everyone was tired. Or maybe Dixon County wants to level up their FPV game.

If so, I humbly volunteer to teach a quick class. I accept payment in coffee, flight time, and the satisfaction of seeing proper finger placement on those sticks. 🚁😄

Photo credit: Dixon County PD, DJI, AUTEL.