The Kenneth Hayes Memorial Drone Project Update from Meigs County Sheriff Scott Fitch

Meigs County Sheriff Scott Fitch would like to announce an update regarding the purchase of the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office drone in 2022. The drone was purchased with funding received from Loyalty is Forever and the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office Furtherance of Justice Fund in early 2022. The recognition of the need for the drone project first began in October of 2020 after the passing of Kenneth Hayes. Kenny Hayes was a former Deputy with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and went missing in October of 2020. Hayes had a medical condition and it was later found that he had passed away in a rural area in Meigs County. The Sheriff’s Office believed that with the assistance of a drone, we could better serve the community in locating individuals who had gone missing. This was when Loyalty is Forever, and the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office came up with “The Kenneth Hayes Memorial Drone Project”.

Loyalty is Forever opened the Kenneth Hayes Memorial Drone Project savings account on October 22nd, 2022. The fundraising efforts were successful and over the next six months a total of $3,750.00 was raised for the project. Funds were donated by individuals in the community as well as individuals from afar who had heard about the project. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office matched the fundraising efforts by contributing $3,600.40 to purchase the drone.

“This project has been a huge success for Meigs County” Stated Sheriff Fitch “Our office and our community remember Kenny Hayes and the heartbreak that was experienced in his passing. I feel that Kenny’s family, the community, and all those who contributed to the effort need to know that the drone has assisted our office on approximately 30 different cases since it was acquired in early 2022. These cases have ranged from search and rescue missions for missing adults with and without medical conditions, missing children who have wandered off from their loved ones, and individuals with mental illnesses. The drone has also been used for law enforcement purposes such as fleeing suspects, intelligence gathering, and stolen vehicles. I want to personally thank all those who donated to this cause and Loyalty is Forever for managing this project.”

Scott Fitch

Meigs County Sheriff