Sergeant Robert Harris, while operating a Nassau County Police Department helicopter on May 17, 1978, at about 1800 hours in the vicinity of Southern State Parkway and Wantagh Avenue, was killed when the aircraft developed engine trouble and crashed. Sergeant Harris declined an emergency landing at a school because children were nearby. The helicopter crashed as he attempted to locate an alternate location to land. Sergeant Harris given Excellent Police Service Award on November 3, 1977, for work performed in the year 1976.