The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office recently welcomed elected officials, public safety partners, and community members to the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit hangar to officially commission its new Bell 505 helicopter.
This state-of-the-art aircraft enhances crew safety and incorporates advanced technology designed to reduce pilot workload and boost operational effectiveness — ultimately helping protect both the community and the officers who serve it.
Chief Dave Ellis, undersheriff of Spokane County and police chief of Spokane Valley, has been involved with the aviation unit since its founding in 2005.
“The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office created the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit 20 years ago. [It] serves as the only local law enforcement aviation unit in eastern Washington,” Ellis said. “Since then, it has been a valuable tool for the entire region, providing search-and-rescue services, fugitive apprehensions, patrol support, fire support, and disaster response.”
The new Bell 505 is equipped with cutting-edge avionics and mission-specific gear. Spokane County outfitted the tactical flight officer’s (TFO) station with a complete Trakka Systems suite, including the TrakkaCam TC-300 camera, TrakkaBeam TLX searchlight, and TrakkaMaps TM-100 mapping system.
Additional equipment includes a Technisonic TDFM-9000 radio package, a Macro-Blue 17-inch monitor, and top-tier Garmin avionics to enhance situational awareness. The mission-ready cockpit, completed by Bell, is purpose-built for airborne law enforcement operations.
“This aircraft will also be able to livestream video to our new real-time crime center, providing real-time situational awareness for our staff to help them drive their crime strategies,” said Ellis.
Along with the helicopter’s commissioning, the event also marked the 20th anniversary of the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit. What sets this unit apart is its foundation in volunteerism — nearly all pilots have served as volunteers since the program began. TFOs and helicopter rescue medics are sworn personnel drawn from a variety of local agencies.
Building an air support unit from the ground up is no easy task. Fortunately, Ellis was able to draw on the expertise of retired pilots from the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Air Support Division who had relocated to the area. Their deep experience in law enforcement aviation helped Spokane avoid a trial-and-error approach during the early days of the unit.
Ellis credits LAPD veterans John Preston, Werner Krempels, Jim Kilgore, and Jim Olmore with helping establish the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit and laying the foundation it stands on today.
In addition to the four LAPD retirees, two other experienced helicopter aviators were instrumental in the unit’s development. Jack Scanlon, owner of River City Helicopters and a well-known movie pilot, has flown for Spokane County for the past two decades. Chief pilot Dave Valenti also brings 20 years of service to the unit. He serves as the unit’s flight instructor and oversees all pilot training and checkrides.
Thanks to strong leadership, a clear strategic vision, and steady support from the community and local agencies, the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit has not only endured — it has continued to grow and evolve. Its longevity speaks to its value, with countless success stories underscoring its role in keeping the region safe.
During the ceremony, Chief Ellis concluded his remarks with a powerful reflection on the unit’s real-time impact.
He shared that, in just the past 24 hours, the air support team had responded to a swimmer in distress the night before. That same morning, they assisted the regional drug and gang unit — along with SWAT — in serving five search warrants, removing dangerous offenders from the streets.
Then, just hours before the ceremony, the unit was called to support a search for a triple homicide suspect who had murdered his three daughters. Two flight crews were deployed to assist regional public safety partners, and as Ellis spoke, they were still actively searching.
“I’d like to add one last thing that gives us the why of why we are here,” he said. “That is the why. This helicopter is critical for these public safety incidents, and to keep our community safe.”
A related listen: The Hangar Z Podcast
In this two-part episode (Part 2 here), hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Spokane County’s Dave Ellis to discuss building an air support unit from the ground up, including aircraft selection, tech advancements, and how real-time situational awareness is improving public safety.
