In a nighttime operation that highlights the indispensable role of the MSP Air Wing in public safety, an elderly woman with dementia had gone missing. According to an official report by the Massachusetts State Police, the woman reported lost in Burlington, was spotted by patrolling Air Wing’s helicopter Air 5 last Thursday.
The saga began after State Police Troop A dispatched a BOLO for the woman, who was believed to be driving a red Toyota, and the crew aboard Air 5, comprising Sergeant Kristopher Malm, Troopers Kenneth Dinjian and Brendan Crowther, jumped to action employing their Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) and color cameras, the helicopter crew was quickly able to spot a vehicle matching the description on Route 3 southbound, they confirmed the vehicle's make and coordinated with ground units to aid the woman.
State Police-Concord Barracks and Burlington Fire and EMS were directed to the woman’s location and a responding state trooper confirmed her identity, securing her wellbeing as she was then transported to a local hospital for medical attention.
The MSP Air Wing, which has bases in Lawrence, Plymouth, and Chicopee assumes various mission profiles including patrol, search operations, and fire suppression.
