Combining courage and compassion

For Lt. Jason Baxley, every day is an opportunity to make a difference. As a tactical flight officer (TFO) and paramedic with the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit, Baxley’s role is as unique as it is vital. 

Combining the skills of a highly trained law enforcement officer with the lifesaving capabilities of a paramedic, Baxley and his colleagues are a rare breed, serving as the last line of defense for those in peril.

Baxley’s path to this specialized position was anything but straightforward. Growing up as the son of a single mother, he was first inspired to pursue law enforcement by a family friend who worked as a state trooper. This inspiration, coupled with a natural desire to help others, set the foundation for a career that would ultimately blend two highly demanding fields.

After graduating high school, Baxley enrolled at the local community college, taking the advice of a counselor to pursue a degree outside of criminal justice. 

“They said, ‘Take anything but criminal justice,’ which I thought was funny. You would think that’s what you’d want to take,” Baxley said. 

Instead, he set his sights on a career in medicine, initially attending nursing school before switching to the paramedic program. This pivotal decision not only honed his medical expertise, but also set him apart from other aspiring law enforcement officers.

“At the time, we were getting 2,000 applicants for 30 positions, and the majority of them were white males between the age of 21 and 31 who all had criminal justice degrees,” Baxley explained. “I was the only one that had something that set me apart.” 

That “something” was his paramedic certification, which the county paid for in exchange for a five-year service contract. Recognizing the strategic value of this opportunity, Baxley leveraged his medical background to gain an edge in the highly competitive hiring process.

In 2005, Baxley’s determination paid off when he was accepted into the Delaware State Police. However, his ambition didn’t stop there. After four years on patrol, he set his sights on an even more specialized role — joining the aviation unit as a TFO.

“Aviation is an assignment, just like every other assignment,” Baxley explained. “If you want to be K-9, or you want to be a detective, or if you want to go into any specialized unit, they have a four-year requirement for patrol. So at the end of working patrol for four years, you can apply for positions as they become available.”

Baxley’s prior experience as a paramedic, coupled with his national registry certification, made him a standout candidate for the TFO position. 

“When I competed for the job standing next to the other troopers who didn’t have the degree or the experience, it was an easy fit for me,” he said.

As a TFO, Baxley’s days are anything but routine. Working 24-hour shifts, he and his pilot partner respond to a wide range of emergencies, from medical calls to search-and-rescue missions. Yet it’s the medical aspect of the job that Baxley finds most fulfilling. 

“Half of all of our missions are medical missions,” he said. “So we land at a crash scene or some other kind of medical emergency, and then we transport them directly to the hospital. The TFO changes positions from the front of the aircraft and goes in the back and provides care.”

This dual responsibility requires a unique set of skills and certifications. In addition to basic paramedic training, Baxley and his fellow TFOs maintain advanced certifications in cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support, and pre-hospital trauma life support. 

Beyond fieldwork, they are also tasked with teaching first responder education to over 700 troopers across the state, cycling through a 40-hour course every two years. TFO paramedics undergo specialized training to support the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, and SCUBA operations. This rigorous training ensures that every trooper is prepared to handle emergencies effectively.

The Delaware State Police Aviation Unit stands out as one of the few law enforcement agencies in the nation that integrates both police and emergency medical services. 

“We have incredible support from our administration,” Baxley noted. “We have incredible support from the state of Delaware itself, as far as supplies and training, and the cost is very expensive to run the aviation section.”

This robust support system, coupled with the department’s emphasis on retaining top talent, has allowed the aviation unit to serve as a model for agencies nationwide. The unique approach not only enhances the level of service provided to Delaware communities, but also creates pathways for career advancement within the department. Baxley’s career trajectory exemplifies this, showcasing how hard work and specialized skills can lead to significant opportunities.

Pilot recruitment is another area where the aviation unit’s commitment to excellence shines. Baxley explained that most pilots in the unit come from the National Guard and bring extensive training and flight hours. 

“The other half of our pilots started as TFOs, worked within the unit to get their pilot’s license, and then applied for those positions,” he said. “Because of their experience in the unit, their reputation and understanding of the mission, they usually get selected and do really well.”

This emphasis on internal development ensures a steady pipeline of skilled professionals who are deeply familiar with the unit’s mission. Baxley believes this approach is instrumental to the unit’s success. 

“Some of our pilots that used to be TFOs make some of the best pilots because they know where to position the aircraft during a search and understand the needs of the operation,” he said. “It’s not a struggle at all in recruiting sworn pilots. We usually have to turn a lot of people away.”

For Baxley, the dual role of law enforcement and emergency medical service is more than a job — it’s a calling. Each mission represents an opportunity to save lives and serve the community, blending courage and compassion in a way that few other professions can. From teaching troopers life-saving skills to providing critical care in the air, Baxley’s work embodies the highest ideals of public service.

Looking to the future, Baxley is optimistic about the continued growth and evolution of the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit. With its innovative approach and commitment to excellence, the unit is well-positioned to remain a leader in the field, inspiring other agencies to adopt similar models. For Baxley, the reward lies not only in the lives saved but also in the example set for the next generation of first responders.

“Every day is different, and every day is an opportunity to make a difference,” Baxley said. “That’s what keeps me going.”