The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Aviation Section has been recognized for rescuing a five-year-old girl with autism.
On February 26, 2024, at 5:10 p.m., the Aviation Section was called to the 5000 block of Windbrush Drive in Tampa to assist deputies in finding a five-year-old girl who had left her home on foot.
With just minutes before sundown and colder temperatures moving into the area, deputies rushed to locate the child before nightfall. Using thermal imaging technology from Teledyne FLIR, deputies quickly found the child wandering in swamplands and returned her to safety within 11 minutes of their arrival on the scene.
For their efforts, Teledyne FLIR recognized Sheriff's Pilot Manny Feller and Tactical Flight Deputy Thomas Fisher with a Life Saver Award at their 29th Annual Vision Awards.
"Our Aviation Section is equipped to handle any challenge, from routine patrol to critical incidents," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "This award is a testament to their ability to rise to the occasion and continually deliver exceptional results."
Teledyne FLIR also presented Feller and Fisher with a $1,000 donation to HCSO Charities at the event.
"Having been a part of locating her and having her returned home safely, unharmed before nightfall -- sometimes there aren't words to describe it," said Feller. "It's why we put the badge on, the flying suit on the way we do."
A video done by FLIR played during the ceremony is below.
The provided photo is Tactical Flight Deputy Fisher (blue shirt) and Sheriff's Pilot Manny Feller (checkered shirt).