Cochise County Sheriff Needs Help! "Name Our Helicopter"!

The Cochise County Sheriff's Office works hard to keep Southeastern Arizona safe. These days, our law enforcement professionals work on all levels and need to use all available tools to their advantage.

Geronimo at an event at Cochise College, Douglas Campus. // Photo by Val Davidson/TSM

In 2015, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels worked toward the goal of acquiring a helicopter for the department. The landscape throughout Cochise County is vast with rugged terrain, adding to the challenges for law enforcement.

Sheriff Mark Dannels. // Photos courtesy Val Davidson//TSM

Sheriff Dannels had witnessed the way helicopters made a difference in search and rescue operations, border patrol, and crime prevention operations around the country, and he could see the advantages of air support.

But helicopters are expensive and the Cochise County budget is tight, so he worked toward a solution that wouldn't burden Cochise County taxpayers with an added expense.

Geronimo!

Back in 2016, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation stepped up to help with the challenge to fund Cochise County's helicopter.

As a charitable organization supporting public safety and humanitarian causes, the foundation offered to donate a brand new Eurocopter AS 350 B2 helicopter to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, along with the crew, fuel, and maintenance costs.

The only condition was that the sheriff had to name the helicopter after a historical figure from Cochise County. The name Geronimo was chosen.

Geronimo (Goyaalé), a Bedonkohe Apache, kneeling with rifle, 1887. Public Domain // In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo. (No changes made.)

Named after the leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Ndendahe Apache people, Geronimo seemed like a fitting name.

According to Wikipedia, "Though outnumbered, Geronimo fought against both Mexican and United States troops and became famous for his daring exploits and numerous escapes from incarceration."

The helicopter was officially named "Geronimo" on January 1st, 2016 as an homage to the honor and bravery of the great leader.

Helicopters in Cochise County

Cochise County's Geronimo helicopter had many years of service and assisted with a broad array of tasks throughout Cochise County. From providing air support to law enforcement personnel on the ground to assisting with search and rescue operations around the county.

Air support in Cochise County helps with Search and Rescue operations, and much more. // Canva

Cochise County's New Helicopter

The need for air support in our area is constant. On the weekly program, First Watch with Sheriff Mark Dannels on 92.3 KWCD, Commander Robert Watkins talked about the new helicopter coming to Cochise County to replace Geronimo.

Commander Watkins said Cochise County was given, "...the opportunity to receive funding to acquire the services of a helicopter for the Cochise County Sheriff's Office. [The CCSO] does not have the resources to purchase a helicopter...but we are acquiring access to a helicopter, 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 5 years...[with] zero cost to the Cochise County taxpayer."

The CCSO needs your help! If you have a great name for their new helicopter, submit the name to the link below on the Cochise County Sheriff's Facebook Page.

Hear the complete interview for First Watch with Sheriff Dannels and Commander Watkins here.

Photo of Geronimo. (2023, August 24). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo. (No changes made.)

Photo of new helicopter provided by the Cochise County Sheriff's Office. Used with permission.

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