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Funded by a Federal Highway Safety Grant, the Aviation Unit was launched in 1969 with the acquisition
of a Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter. Primarily dedicated to traffic enforcement the Aviation Unit's
value as a force multiplier and airborne law enforcement platform was soon recognized. The decision
was quickly made that the Aviation Unit would continue, after the expiration of the grant, and become
an integral part of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Since the inception of the Aviation Unit one critical role was the responsibility to assist in the
medical evacuation of critically injured patients to area hospitals. Frequently the aircraft was used
to transport patients to specialized hospitals in Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Gainesville. A second
helicopter, a Bell 206L III Long Ranger was acquired in 1986 to further compliment the fleet. Having
two aircraft increased the availability to respond to these and other critical incidents.
1990 was a milestone for medical care in Palm Beach County with the opening of the two trauma centers
and the arrival of "Trauma Hawk" a Bell 412 helicopter, the first dedicated emergency medical
helicopter in Palm Beach County. The Aviation Unit doubled in size and expanded its role to include a
full time EMS flight crew. Staffed by flight medics from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and funded by
the newly created Health Care District, Trauma Hawk was flown by Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
pilots and maintained by PBSO maintenance personnel successfully for nearly ten years. A former
Sheriff and The Health Care District elected to sever the inter-local agreement and the original "Trauma
Hawk" flew for the last time in late September 1999.
Today, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit continues its role as a back-up aeromedical
platform, standing ready to assist the community in the event of a catastrophic incident. The day to
day role of trauma transport is left to the Health Care District. The traditional role of airborne law
enforcement is the primary focus of the PBSO Aviation Unit. Responding to high-speed vehicle pursuits,
searching for missing children, Alzheimer victims, burglary and robbery suspects as well as providing
routine patrols are all part of the job of the PBSO Aviation Unit. In addition to serving ground
personnel of PBSO, the Aviation Unit is regularly called upon to assist the other thirty-seven
municipalities in Palm Beach County. Assistance is also provided to agencies such as the FBI, U.S.
Secret Service, DEA, U.S. Customs, U. S. Coast Guard, the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Wildlife
Commission, Palm Beach County Environmental Units, Palm Beach County Commissioners and others, all
without charge to the respective agency.
Today's fleet consists of two state of the art, Bell 407 helicopters, "Eagle I", and "Eagle II". Both aircraft are equipped with Forward Looking Infrared,
video down link, GIS database moving maps, a powerful 30,000,000-candle power search light and can be flown with the aid of Night Vision Goggles (NVG). The
"Eagles" patrol the skies over Palm Beach County both day and night providing support to PBSO as well as other federal, state and local municipal agencies.
PBSO pilots are seasoned law enforcement officers, as well as F.A.A. licensed Commercial helicopter pilots, dedicated to protecting and serving their fellow
officers and their community, "Putting Citizens First".
Please enjoy your flight with PBSO Aviation, dedicated to serve and protect, from above, "PUTTING CITIZENS FIRST."
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