Marine Federal Credit Union Donates $30,000 to Help Launch Sheriff’s Office's Drone Program

Through a generous $30,000 donation from Marine Federal  Credit Union, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office has begun the process of implementing a new  drone program.  

Paladin Drones, a public safety drone company based in Houston, Texas, utilizes cutting-edge  technology that 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 Paladin Drone Program will allow deputies to deploy drones to 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’s donation will fully fund the first phase of the program, which includes the acquisition of the drone, operator training, and deployment infrastructure. The implementation of the first phase of the program is expected to be operational by fall 2025. 

“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. 

During the coming days, the Sheriff's Office will evaluate high call volume areas throughout  Onslow County to determine the most strategic location to serve as the drone's "home base."  

Following the acquisition of the first drone and an initial evaluation period, the Sheriff's Office hopes to expand the program to additional high-call areas across the county. 

“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.”

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About the Paladin Drone Program: 

Paladin Drones delivers a next-gen public safety solution: LTE-connected, autonomous drone systems that respond instantly to 911 calls, streaming critical visual data straight to first  responders. With strong ethical frameworks, FAA compliance support, and a clear national  rollout vision, their mission is to revolutionize emergency response through technology while  saving lives.