CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Police Department has unveiled a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter as the newest addition to its fleet, providing officers with another aerial resource for searches, emergencies and major incidents.
The department introduced the aircraft Friday with a new black-and-gold paint scheme matching its patrol vehicles. CPD said the paint and labor were donated, allowing the department to update the helicopter’s appearance without paying for that work. The donor was not identified in the announcement.
According to CPD, the helicopter will provide aerial support during major incidents, assist in searches for missing or endangered people and help officers during pursuits or searches for suspects.
The aircraft may also be used to monitor traffic during major events, assess damage following disasters and provide mutual aid to neighboring law enforcement agencies.
“It’s another tool in our toolbox that gives our officers a view they simply can’t get from the ground,” the department said.
The helicopter was obtained through the federal Law Enforcement Support Office, commonly known as the 1033 Program. The program is a surplus-property transfer system rather than a conventional grant.
Managed by the Defense Logistics Agency, the program conditionally transfers excess federal military property to eligible law enforcement agencies. Aircraft are considered controlled property and remain on the federal property inventory.
DLA’s most recent public inventory, dated June 30, lists two recent rotary-wing aircraft transfers to the Cullman Police Department. The aircraft were shipped June 4, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026. Each carries an original federal acquisition value of $1.2 million.
The federal database does not identify the models or indicate which entry corresponds to the Bell Jet Ranger unveiled Friday.
DLA cautions that original acquisition value represents what the federal government initially paid for an item. It is not a current market appraisal and does not represent what Cullman paid.
Law enforcement agencies do not pay for the transferred property itself. However, participating agencies are responsible for transportation, possible storage, maintenance and other expenses associated with accepting and operating the equipment.
A federal shipment record for the aircraft transferred in January states that it was requested for search and rescue, natural disaster response and surveillance connected to drug enforcement.
The department’s announcement did not disclose transportation, outfitting or anticipated annual operating costs.
The addition continues an aviation program that has operated in Cullman for decades. A 2018 Tribune feature reported that CPD then operated a Bell OH-58A Kiowa/Jet Ranger and a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse, both acquired through the federal surplus program.
At the time, the aviation division used its helicopters for suspect searches, major-event security, Project Lifesaver operations and mutual aid. The division then averaged two flights per week and answered approximately 40 to 60 requests annually from outside agencies.
CPD did not state whether the newly unveiled helicopter replaces an older aircraft or expands its operational fleet. The department also did not announce when the aircraft will begin regular missions or what specialized equipment it carries.
“Serving Cullman from the ground, and now, from above,” CPD said.
