The King County Sheriff’s Office is adding to its air support division with the acquisition of helicopter for nearly $7 million. The helicopter, known as Guardian One, was purchased with $5.8 million in King County funds and an additional $1 million from the state Legislature.

Known as "Guardian One," the new Bell 407GXi will replace the department's aging helicopter which will now be used as a spare.

So far this year, it has flown more than 300 missions and provided assistance to other agencies over 65 times.

A trio of King County sheriff’s deputies tasked with flying a new Bell 407GXi helicopter from northeastern Tennessee to Renton last month experienced an anxious moment when they thought they were about to be stranded in the New Mexico desert.