Marine Federal Credit Union donates $30,000 to Onslow County drone program

The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office announced they are set to implement a new drone program with the help of a $30,000 donation from Marine Federal Credit Union.

The funding will cover the first phase of the program, which includes acquiring a drone, operator training, and deployment infrastructure. The beginning phase is expected to be operational by fall 2025.

Paladin Drones, a Houston-based public safety drone company, will provide the technology. The drones will enhance the Sheriff’s Office’s ability to respond to emergencies, monitor critical incidents, and improve public safety through real-time aerial support. The program will assist in search and rescue missions, traffic monitoring, crime scene documentation, and rapid situational awareness in high-risk or hard-to-access areas.

“Marine Federal Credit Union is proud to support the launch of the Paladin Drone Program. We’re excited to be part of this innovative step forward for public safety in our community and are impressed by the significant improvement in emergency response times this technology will make possible,” said Jeff Clark, President/CEO of Marine Federal Credit Union.

The Sheriff’s Office plans to evaluate high call volume areas throughout Onslow County to determine the most strategic location for the drone’s “home base.” Following the acquisition of the first drone and an initial evaluation period, there are hopes to expand the program across the county in high-call areas, according to a recent release.

“This donation is not just an investment in technology—it’s an investment in the safety and well-being of every resident of Onslow County,” said Sheriff Chris Thomas. “We’re incredibly grateful to Marine Federal Credit Union for their partnership. Their generosity allows us to embrace innovation in law enforcement while enhancing transparency and response capabilities.”

Paladin Drones offers LTE-connected, autonomous drone systems that respond instantly to 911 calls, streaming critical visual data to first responders. Their mission is to revolutionize emergency response through technology while saving lives.