A domestic violence suspect who fled from Mission police officers in the dark early Aug. 13 didn't get far. A Merriam Police Department corporal launched the department's new Skydio X10 drone, tracked the man from above and guided ground officers straight to him.
The arrest marked the drone's first major assist since the department acquired it earlier this year, according to a city of Merriam news release published Aug. 14.
What happened
Around 3 a.m. Aug. 13, Mission police were pursuing a domestic violence suspect on foot when they called Merriam for aerial support. Merriam officers launched the Skydio X10, which carries night vision and a spotlight capable of cutting through total darkness.
Within minutes, the drone spotted the suspect hiding behind a building. When he bolted again, the drone stayed directly above him while a Merriam corporal relayed his position to officers on the ground. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
The city has not released the suspect's name, and it is unclear whether formal charges have been filed.
How Merriam got the drone
The Skydio X10 arrived after a law prohibited police departments from using drones manufactured in certain countries, forcing Merriam to retire its older equipment, according to the city. The Merriam City Council approved the purchase and accepted a matching grant in April.
Blue Springs, Missouri-based nonprofit HeroFundUSA covered half the cost through a $10,116 grant under its 50/50 matching program, which has funded more than 115 equipment requests for law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies across Missouri and Kansas since 2016.
HeroFundUSA CEO Darrell Smith formally presented the check at the July 27 Merriam City Council meeting alongside Mayor Bob Pape and Major Chris Brokaw of the Merriam Police Department.
At that presentation, Merriam Police Chief Darren McLaughlin said the Skydio X10 "will enhance officer safety, improve our response to critical incidents, assist in search and rescue operations, support crime scene documentation and provide valuable situational awareness during emergency events."
Mutual aid in action
The Aug. 13 incident illustrates how Johnson County departments share specialized resources. Mission police needed eyes in the sky they didn't have; one phone call put Merriam's drone overhead within minutes.
Residents with information about domestic violence incidents can contact the Merriam Police Department at 913-322-5560 or the Johnson County 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 913-262-2868.
