After about 32 years of serving York County and Poquoson working at the sheriff’s office, Capt. Troy Lyons is retiring — effective Jan. 1.
But it doesn’t end there.
Lyons is pursuing a career in drone videography and photography, and started his own business.
He said it feels like just yesterday he started his career with the county. In September of 1988 after leaving the Army, he got an opportunity with York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office.
He spent time in the uniform patrol division, investigation and even 16 years as part of a federal disaster response team, responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the Haiti earthquake. He has been captain of YPSO’s administration division since 2018.
“It’s not hard to get up and go to work when you have the greatest job in the world,” Lyons said. “I enjoyed nearly every minute of it.”
In 2011, he was selected to participate in the FBI national academy for two-and-a half-months in Quantico. The academy is an executive leadership training course that is focused on physical fitness while participants earn credit hours for graduate and undergraduate courses.
“It was a great honor. About .5% of all law enforcement executives in the Unites States are selected to go to the national academy,” he said.
That experience was one of his favorite since getting into the force, and he still keeps in contact with people he met at the academy.
He took a liking to crime scene photography during his career with the sheriff’s office, and toward the end he was grateful to be a small part of the Sheriff’s Office/Fire Department Drone Team.
His interest in photography and aircraft from his nearly eight years in the Army helped him decide to open up his own business offering drone videography and photography services.
Lyons Drone Flight Imaging offers a full range of aerial photography and video for real estate, new construction documentation, pre- and post-storm documentation, weddings, communications tower inspections and more.
Soon Lyons will also be offering 360-degree real estate imaging and walk-through tours.
LDFI current inventory consists of a DJI Phantom 4+ Advanced and a DJI Mavic Mini capable of indoor flight.
LDFI uses a Richoh Theta V 360 degree camera for 360 imaging and creating stunning virtual tours powered by KUULA, Lyons said.
Lyons is an FAA commercially licensed drone pilot specializing in flying small handheld indoor drones up to six bladed heavy lift drones. He also hold an FAA waiver that allows night flights.
To date he has flown more than 200 flights for public safety missions, real estate documentation and training.
Click here for more information about his drone company.
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