Romeo Durscher – the colossal voice behind drone technology in first response operations – is no more.

Diagnosed with cancer last year, family members say Romeo passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 3, 2025.

He was 50.

One of the biggest evangelists for the integration of drone technology as first responders in public safety, humanitarian, emergency and disaster situations, Romeo had to scale back on work in the industry after the nature of his personal health battle was revealed; and the drone industry was much poorer for it.

Romeo was a true visionary in the commercial drone space, whose mark and larger than life personality touched most whom he interacted with or came across his works.

It was through his passion to see the worldwide expansion of first response drone technology that we personally met Romeo in Johannesburg in 2019, where he shared the work DJI drones were doing in helping fire fighters put out the raging fires in California, USA.

His passion for first response drone technology would ultimately influence the design of several DJI drone models and expand their application in emergency situations.

He worked closely with police departments, tactical agencies, emergency responders and even Interpol over the years; so it would come as little surprise that in December of last year, the Law Enforcement Drone Association honoured Durscher with its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award.

“This prestigious honour is a testament to Romeo’s visionary leadership and extraordinary contributions to public safety through the adoption of drone technology,” said LEDA in its announcement.

“Long before drones became integral tools for saving lives and protecting communities, Romeo foresaw their transformative potential. With unwavering passion and dedication, he turned that vision into reality, revolutionizing public safety operations around the world.”

And he will be very much missed.

We have gathered a few tributes from Romeo’s colleagues whom he gathered and whose lives he touched along his journey, starting with fellow drone technology writer Scott Simmie, who penned a beautiful chart of Romeo’s journey into the drone industry.

Romeo obviously didn’t start out in the drone world. RPAS as we now know them, didn’t exist when the Swiss-born (and multilingual) Durscher started out in the world of banking.

He began as an intern and it wasn’t long before he was promoted to the position of Investment Banker. A few jobs later (including working as a rock promoter, even organising tours) and he landed at Stanford University. He spent nearly 13 years there, where his interest in technology had a chance to flourish.

Romeo was Stanford’s Senior Manager on its Solar Dynamics Observatory – a partnership with NASA. He often spoke fondly of those years, and would later tell DroneLife it was there that he first built a multi-rotor.

“In 2010, when I was still deeply involved in NASA missions, Mark Johnson and I began experimenting with a new kind of technology. Multi-rotors were practically unheard of, but we found components from all over and pieced together our own drones. I vividly remember the first time we flew one. For Mark, it was clear this could be a powerful tool for his forensic analysis business. For me, it unlocked something new—a fresh perspective from the air,” he told the website.

“Something about this new technology grabbed me. I knew it had a future beyond NASA, especially in public safety. The memory of my Swiss military service, wishing for a real-time aerial view, fueled my desire to bring drones to new spaces.”

Drones were still in their very early stages, but Durscher could see the potential. This was the space he wanted to pursue. He joined DJI in January of 2015 as Director of Education, back in the days when a GoPro attached to the first-generation Phantom was seen as pretty much state-of-the-art.

As the technology advanced, so too did use-case scenarios. And Durscher was at the forefront, becoming the Senior Director of Public Safety Integration. That job entailed working closely with fire rescue, EMS, law enforcement, tactical agencies – you name it.

And not only did he help expand their capabilities, he also spent endless hours listening to those First Responders. What other use-cases might drones be helpful for? What other features – whether hardware or software – might make these tools even more useful?

He took that feedback directly back to the engineering teams at DJI in Shenzhen. That intel directly influenced the final version of many of DJI’s Enterprise series of drones.

The Mavic 2 Enterprise, with its options of thermal imaging, a loudspeaker, and a bright light, owes much of its heritage to Romeo Durscher. He also played a role in the design of the M200, M300 and even the third-party Epson Moverio AR glasses.

But that’s not all. Durscher also built a reputation for getting down in the trenches when necessary. In November of 2018, the devastating Camp Fire broke out in California. Within 12 hours, that wildfire had consumed 55,000 acres and thousands of homes. More than 100 people lost their lives.

Durscher and DJI immediately jumped in, working with multiple agencies in the most ambitious high-resolution drone mapping project in history at that time. The entire devastation was mapped – providing an essential tool for First Responders, urban planners – and even residents who wanted to see what had happened to their neighbourhood. It was an absolutely immense task, and Durscher was a key lynchpin for the overall organisation and implementation.

And yet, in true Romeo fashion, he downplayed his own role – instead extending credit to all of those involved and the technology itself. Those who knew Romeo will recognise this as a character trait.

Wayne Baker; DJI

To say Romeo played a vital role in bringing drones into public safety would be an understatement.

Following an early career in banking and – if you can believe it – a twelve-year stint at NASA, Romeo joined DJI in 2015, where he spearheaded many of the early training and education programmes that supported research and use case development for drones across a range of industries.

In the years that followed, he worked closely with me as a Fire Chief as well as many others in the early days of the public safety drone community, constantly learning and exploring innovative ways to integrate drone technology across fire services, law enforcement, search and rescue, and emergency medical response.

His efforts helped shape how public safety agencies use drones today, leading to countless lives saved and protecting police officers, firefighters, and the communities they serve.

I will forever be grateful to Romeo for being the one who brought me into DJI, and I had the privilege of witnessing his passion and commitment firsthand.

I will never forget my first day with him at DJI and our childlike excitement of flying the brand new DJI Mavic Mini from outside into the DJI Palo Alto office, knowing that while it was made to be a consumer drone our shared vision was it would of course be used by police as a tool to de-escalate situations and save even more lives.

I will also say on a more personal note that again speaks to the caring person that Romeo was, knowing that I was not merely changing jobs, I was changing careers, my whole identity from one of public service to the private sector. With this in mind, Romeo opened his home to me literally, allowing me to stay with him during my first few weeks of transition at DJI.

Again, another memory of his generosity, I will always cherish.

Let me also say that he truly leaves behind an amazing legacy in many ways. For his friends and family his last greatest gift we were given was the knowledge that he was at peace as he ended his life’s journey. I was afforded the chance to see him one last time in his hometown in Switzerland and be given the gift of new friends much like him.

I will also say, as I close this, his influence – and impact – will be felt for many years to come, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest of all time in our community as so many in public safety are able to continue his life’s work of making the world a better place through the use of drones.

Drone Girl (Sally French)

I first met Romeo during his tenure at DJI, where he served as DJI’s Director of Education. From our initial encounter, it was evident that he was not just an advocate for drone technology but also a champion for education, equality and joy in every endeavour. In an industry predominantly led by men, Romeo’s approach was refreshingly inclusive.

He treated me as an equal, never questioning my knowledge or passion. His belief in my abilities helped me overcome the imposter syndrome I often felt in those early days of my own drone career

One of my fondest memories with Romeo was when he met me at Treasure Island to give me an exclusive preview of DJI’s Phantom 4, equipped with obstacle avoidance technology. He knew how excited I would be and ensured I experienced it firsthand. His genuine enthusiasm was contagious, making every interaction both educational and enjoyable.​

He was a world traveller, but it was always a joy to get to meet up with him in San Francisco. Here’s us at the Drones Data X Conference at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts.

Brendan Schulman, Boston Robotics

I am greatly saddened at the passing this week of a pioneer and pillar of the drone community, Romeo Durscher.

Romeo’s tireless work with public safety agencies resulted in countless lives saved (though at one point we tried to keep count), communities made safer, and a broader social acceptance of technology that not so long ago was viewed with fear and scepticism.

It was a privilege and honour to work closely with Romeo and to see his vision spread across the country and the world. If he was part of your world too, or even if he wasn’t, and you haven’t yet seen the “Walk With Me” tribute from a few months ago, I urge you to make some time and take it all in (link below).

You’ll appreciate why so many in the drone community are grieving this week but also deeply and humbly inspired by an incredible person.

Before his time in the drone industry, Romeo worked on NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, so I like to think that right now he’s somewhere between the sun and 400 feet AGL, looking down at us, and continuing to inspire us.

Gemma Alcock: Founder, Owner, & CEO at SkyBound

I am lost for words. The world has lost a legend.

Romeo Durscher, you were a hero and inspiration to many – myself very much included! When I started in the world of drones for public safety, not many people recognised or respected it as a sector in its own right, but you did, and YOU made it happen for the world.

Without you, my career probably wouldn’t exist, you led the way for me and many MANY others.

They say you shouldn’t meet your heroes, but I’m so glad I did, because you also became a good friend and ally in the industry.

(When we met) backstage at the Interpol conference in Norway, you knew I had just lost my late dog, so you came to cheer me on (before your presentation), and brought me presents and gave me a hug to hype me up before I went on stage – I couldn’t thank you enough for that!

You also kindly sent me a message on my 30th birthday, whilst you sipped one of your favourite drinks, doing one of your favourite kind of holidays – a cruise! What an honour that you remembered and reached out.

Oh man, you had a great sense of humour, if a little cheesy – Swiss cheesey that is.

You will be missed. Thank you for being my hero and friend.

International Emergency Drone Organization (IEDO)

It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to Romeo Durscher, a true pioneer whose impact on the drone industry extended far beyond technology. After a courageous battle with illness, Romeo steps away from the field he helped shape, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, dedication, and a deep sense of purpose.

Born in Switzerland, Romeo’s journey began in the aerospace sector with NASA, but it was in the drone community where he truly found his calling. As Director of Education at DJI, Romeo quickly understood the power drones held to change lives, particularly in the realm of public safety. However, it was his unwavering commitment to serving communities and supporting first responders that made him truly stand out.

Romeo saw drones not just as technology, but as a tool to help save lives and bring hope during times of crisis. He was dedicated to integrating drones into emergency response efforts, from search and rescue missions to disaster recovery. His work helped public safety professionals understand the potential of this technology, not just as a gadget but as a vital resource for saving lives, locating missing persons, and mapping disaster zones in real time.

Beyond the technical advances he helped champion, Romeo’s greatest gift was his genuine care for others. He worked tirelessly to educate and empower first responders, always prioritising the safety and well-being of the communities they served. Romeo didn’t just lead initiatives—he built relationships, listening closely to the needs of those on the front lines and ensuring that technology would be used responsibly and ethically.

His passion for giving back to the community extended beyond his professional roles. He was a mentor, a friend, and an advocate for those who worked day in and day out to protect others. His efforts have inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in drones and public safety, fostering a new generation of innovators and problem-solvers committed to making a difference in the world.

As Romeo steps into retirement, we reflect on the incredible human impact he had, not just on the drone industry but on the lives of those he worked alongside. IEDO stands in support of Romeo’s family during this difficult time, and our thoughts and prayers are with them. Romeo, your legacy is one of selflessness and service, and your absence will be deeply felt by all whose lives you touched.

Richard Nichols: Founder; Airwards

To say Romeo helped me on my journey would be a massive understatement. He was the first global name who not only gave me the time of day but threw himself into my NFP Airwards with full commitment and support. It was kind, generous, selfless, funny and engaging – something I would soon learn would be standard parts of working with Romeo.

But it wasn’t just working with Romeo; it was knowing him. He had a way of lighting up a room, of making everyone feel seen and valued. His passion for drones and the power of their potential to do good was infectious, and he inspired countless people to pursue their own dreams in this industry. He leaves behind a legacy of innovation, kindness, and genuine human connection.

While my heart is sad, I’m also filled with gratitude for knowing him and I’m sure his spirit and memory will live on in the countless lives he touched as he continues to inspire us all to be a little kinder, a little more generous, and a little more passionate about what we do.

Rest in peace RD

Commercial UAV News

We’re saddened to learn of the loss of a true pioneer in the drone industry, Romeo Durscher. Romeo dedicated his career to showing the world how drones could save lives, protect communities, and support first responders. His legacy will continue to inspire, shaping the future of drones in public safety and beyond.