Funds From Sale May Be Used On New Engine, Upholstery, And Sonar Equipment

The Utah County Sheriff's Office in Provo, UT had an early Christmas this year. The department recently sold two of its airplanes in an effort to upgrade to something better, and bring its fleet number to two good aircraft.

Before they could find what they were looking for, though, an anonymous couple brought it to them.

Sheriff's Lt. Dave Bennett, who is also a department pilot, quoted the couple as saying, "We'd like to donate this airplane to you with the stipulation that the money to buy the airplane be turned around and put back into search and rescue."

The county's search and rescue operation is comprised of about 50 volunteers who not only donate their time, but their money as well, to keep the program going.

Bennett said the donor told him he appreciates the volunteers and just wanted to do something for them, according to the Deseret Morning News.

The 1974 Cessna 210 Centurion (type shown above) is in good condition, Bennett said. Utah County Sheriff Jim Tracy has requested county commission approval to use some of the $190,000 realized from their aircraft sale to do some work on the aircraft's interior.

"This is great that this was donated to us," said Utah County Commissioner Gary Anderson. "This was a great thing and an interesting thing that the donor wants to remain anonymous. We're very, very grateful to them, this will be a great help to our sheriff and search and rescue."

The 210 will be getting some new upholstery and a new engine. It should be ready for its primary duties of transportation and tracking in about a month, Bennett said.

The sheriff's office also wants to purchase some special sonar equipment for searches in bodies of water.

In 2006 three men in a small plane went down in Utah Lake and the department was forced to borrow sonar equipment from the Utah Department of Public Safety Dive/Rescue Team for the recovery effort.

"Without that equipment, it was very difficult to locate the crash site," Bennett said.

The couple's only other stipulation was that they remain anonymous. "We've talked several times about it and (they) didn't want to make a big deal about it," Bennett said. "We'll honor his wishes."

FMI: www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/Sheriff/index.asp