Police tout using drone to disarm incapacitated person in “nationwide first”

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office in California demonstrated a novel use of drone technology on June 22, 2026, by releasing a video showcasing a drone disarming an incapacitated suspect. This event, described as a "nationwide first," involved a quadcopter drone equipped with a magnet that successfully removed a knife from the hand of a motionless individual. The incident occurred earlier in June when law enforcement surrounded a residence occupied by a "felony suspect armed with a knife and a firearm" who was unresponsive to negotiators. The suspect, identified as a "known felon and parolee-at-large," was initially located by a drone in a garage corner, holding a knife. The sheriff's office, like hundreds of other US law enforcement agencies, utilizes camera-equipped drones for first responder support. The promotional video, set to the "Mission: Impossible" theme, highlights the drone's capability to retrieve the weapon without direct human intervention, potentially reducing risks for officers.