DRONERESPONDERS has awarded the 2025 Eric Talley Public Safety UAS Excellence Award to Matt Rowland of the Fort Wayne Police Department, recognizing him as a pioneer in public safety drone operations and a leader in advancing lifesaving technology.
Named in memory of Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley, who was killed in the line of duty in 2021, the award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership in the field of public safety drones. Rowland, a 20-year veteran of the Fort Wayne Police Department, stood out for his groundbreaking work in securing the first FAA Part 107 waiver that allowed Drones as a First Responder (DFR) operations without a visual observer.
Rowland has been deeply involved in shaping Fort Wayne’s Air Support Unit, where he has served as a drone pilot since 2017 and a full-time Air Support officer since 2021. Under his leadership, the city launched its DFR program, enabling drones to be dispatched immediately to calls for service—often arriving before officers on the ground. This approach has provided critical real-time situational awareness, improved officer safety, and, in many cases, saved lives.
Beyond his local work, Rowland shares his expertise nationally. As an instructor with the Unmanned Tactical Group, he has trained public safety professionals across disciplines on best practices for drone use. His insights have also reached the wider law enforcement community through publications such as Air Beat magazine and his role in industry discussions on expanding drone programs responsibly.
Starting his career as a dispatcher before joining the police force in 2005, Rowland has built a reputation for embracing technology to enhance public safety operations.
Below is Matt’s acceptance speech from the award ceremony:
(AI was used in part to facilitate this article.)