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

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.

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.

The helicopter cost taxpayers over $6 million but the KCSO said it was well worth it. Guardian One will serve western Washington for at least the next 10 years.

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