Fallen Hero Memorial

Name	End of Watch	Agency	State/Country
Russ, Phillip In Memory Of Phillip Russ Maryland State Police, MD End of watch: 1972-10-28 Aircraft: Bell Jetranger Trooper First Class Phillip Lee Russ was a helicopter pilot flying medical evacuation missions for the Maryland State Police Aviation Division. He, along with Paramedic Trooper Thomas Noyle, had been dispatched from Martin State Airport in Middle River, Maryland en route to Dorchester General Hospital in Cambridge on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to transport an overdose victim. On October 28, 1972 the crew encountered heavy fog near Grasonville Maryland, and indications were that the aircraft was attempting to land in an open field when it crashed killing Russ and Noyle. Trooper Russ had three years and 10 months of service with the Maryland State Police. Phillip L. Russ, 25, is survived by his wife Janice, John P. Russ, son, Carol Lee Russ, daughter, Joy R. Ruark, sister, Rachel L. Russ, granddaughter. Thoughts and Memories of Phillip Russ Stephen E. James It has been 35 years since we last saw each other at Flight School Graduation at Ft. Rucker. I hope your family has faired well since you were lost. I still cherish the memory of the good times we had back then. Your Friend LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1972-10-28	Maryland State Police	MD
Russ, Phillip In Memory Of Phillip Russ Maryland State Police Aviation Division, MD End of watch: 1972-10-28 Aircraft: Bell 206B JetRanger Killed when their JetRanger Medevac helicopter crashed while en route to Dorchester General Hospital . They were responding to transport a critically injured patient from Dorchester General to the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore when they encountered heavy fog and was attempting to land. The crash occurred in an empty field ¼ mile east of Bennett Point Road near Queenstown, Maryland. TFC Russ, the pilot was 25 years old. Thoughts and Memories of Phillip Russ No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1972-10-28	Maryland State Police Aviation Division	MD
Ryckman, Jon In Memory Of Jon Ryckman Detroit Police Department, MI End of watch: 1974-06-28 Aircraft: Bell 47G While on routine patrol along the Detroit River, a Beechcraft D-18 aircraft in distress descended into the flight path of the Detroit Police Aviation helicopter. The two aircraft collided. Officers Jon Ryckman and Byron Soule of the Detroit Police Department lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as the two persons aboard the Beech D-18 aircraft. Thoughts and Memories of Jon Ryckman Darin L. Paul Rest in Peace. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1974-06-28	Detroit Police Department	MI
Saenz, George In Memory Of George Saenz U.S. Customs Service, FL End of watch: 1989-11-02 Aircraft: UH-60 Blackhawk Pilot George Reyes Saenz was killed when his Blackhawk helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of Florida. Saenz was part of a six person crew that was tracking several small boats believed to be trafficking narcotics. All of the crewmember except Saenz were able to escape from the sinking aircraft. Saenz’s body was never found. Thoughts and Memories of George Saenz Bob Sherin George, a dedicated Customs Blackhawk pilot, went down 50 miles off the Florida Coast in a drug operation. The crew got out alive but Saenz didn’t. Well aware of the danger he faced night after night, I asked him how he felt about it. He voiced no fear, to the contrary, an excitement about his work. Customs was wonderful to the family. I know because I jotted the notes. He would be proud of his two grown Daughters today. His Wife’s name was Lauri. Her Mom, Joyce, was married to me at the time. He is missed by so many. Peter Saenz Happy Birthday. I miss you. Allways in my heart. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1989-11-02	U.S. Customs Service	FL
Sampson, Alastair In Memory Of Alastair Sampson New Zealand Police, New Zealand End of watch: 1993-11-27 Aircraft: AS355F1 Constable Alastair Sampson died when his helicopter was involved in a mid-air collision with a light civil aircraft. Also killed in the crash were Sergeant Lou Grant and TFO Ross Harvey. Thoughts and Memories of Alastair Sampson No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1993-11-27	New Zealand Police	New Zealand
Sanders, Terry In Memory Of Terry Sanders Mayfield Police Department, KY End of watch: 1989-09-15 Aircraft: unknown airplane Patrolman Terry Lee Sanders was killed in an aircraft accident while on duty. The plane crashed as a result of heavy fog and rain. Thoughts and Memories of Terry Sanders No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1989-09-15	Mayfield Police Department	KY
Santiago, Jesus Fernando Quinones In Memory Of Jesus Fernando Quinones Santiago San Juan Police Department - Air Unit, PRI End of watch: 2010-05-05 Aircraft: Bell Jet Ranger III The incident unfolded late Tuesday May 4th when police began pursuing a vehicle that fled a traffic stop. As the officers were taking the suspect into custody, someone nearby began firing on the police helicopter hitting two crew members. The pilot was able to perform an emergency landing at a nearby ball field. the civilian co-pilot identified as Jesus Fernando Quinones Santiago succombed to his wounds early Wednesday morning. The fatally wounded pilot was a member of the San Juan Municipal Police Department air support unit. The FBI is investigating but no one is in custody for the murder at this time. Thoughts and Memories of Jesus Fernando Quinones Santiago No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2010-05-05	San Juan Police Department - Air Unit	PRI
Santoro, Francesco In Memory Of Francesco Santoro Italian State Police, Italy End of watch: 2005-04-20 Aircraft: Agusta-Bell AB212 The winch-man, Head-Inspector Francesco Santoro, 49-years old, was fatally struck by a rotor blade while he was helping a passenger to embark-disembark during a mission in the mountains. The accident happened during the third flight of a transport mission to Valle Cannobina – North Alpes supporting a death investigation of a 75-year old man. Thoughts and Memories of Francesco Santoro No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2005-04-20	Italian State Police	Italy
Schnur, Robert In Memory Of Robert Schnur Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA End of watch: 1968-09-30 Aircraft: unknown helicopter Deputies Robert Schnur and Gary E. McCullah were killed when their helicopter struck power lines in the Whittier Hills area. Thoughts and Memories of Robert Schnur No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1968-09-30	Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department	CA
Schuengel, Sgt. Joseph In Memory Of Sgt. Joseph Schuengel Missouri State Highway Patrol, MO End of watch: 2010-10-15 Aircraft: Bell 206B Sergeant Joe Schuengel was killed in a helicopter crash while returning to Spirit of St. Louis Airport in one of the department’s traffic enforcement helicopters. He had dropped off several other troopers and was returning to the airport when the Bell 206B helicopter experienced a probable mechanical failure. It is believed he was able to maneuver the aircraft to avoid nearby houses before crashing into a residential street on Horseshoe Ridge Road. Residents and responding officers immediately responded to the scene, but Sergeant Schuengel had been killed on impact. Sergeant Schuengel had served with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for 17 years. Thoughts and Memories of Sgt. Joseph Schuengel No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2010-10-15	Missouri State Highway Patrol	MO
Scott, Chris In Memory Of Chris Scott New Zealand Police, New Zealand End of watch: 2005-01-29 Aircraft: Cessna 172 Civilian pilot Chris Scott, 33, of Bay of Plenty, and Detective Travis Hughes, 37, of Queenstown, were killed when their Cessna 172 crashed on a routine reconnaissance flight in the Gibbston area near Queenstown. The District Commander for the Southern District, Superintendent George Fraser, said the two men were conducting a routine cannabis reconnaissance flight. Superintendent Fraser said he extended condolences to the families of both individuals on behalf of Police. Scott had four children under 11 years. Thoughts and Memories of Chris Scott No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2005-01-29	New Zealand Police	New Zealand
Seale, Jay In Memory Of Jay Seale U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Peru End of watch: 1994-08-27 Aircraft: CASA 212-A Special Agent Jay Seale died when his aircraft crashed into dense jungle close to Puerto Pizano near Lima, Peru while on a drug assignment. Also killed were Agents Frank Fernandez, Juan Vars, Frank Wallace Jr. and Meredith Thompson, each of whom was from different sections of the US DEA. Special Agent Seale began his service with DEA in the New Orleans Office in 1991 and later that year was assigned to the Los Angeles Office. Prior to joining DEA, Seale served in the U.S. Army from 1984-1988, where he attended the Noncommissioned Officer Academy in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and the Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Special Agent Seale graduated from Louisiana Technical University in Ruston, Louisiana, in 1990. He is survived by his mother, Frances Seale; his father, John T. Seale and his brother, John B. Seale. Special Agent Seale was posthumously awarded the DEA Administrator’s Award of Honor on May 17, 1995. Thoughts and Memories of Jay Seale Brad Seal Today is March 9, 2006. You would have been 43 today. Mom, Alexi and your niece, Mariah and your nephew ‘Little Brad’ went to dinner tonight to celebrate your birthday. Our second girl is due in July and she will be named Jayde, after her ‘Uncle Jay’. You are always in our hearts and you are talked about daily. Little Brad, who is three, includes you in our nightly blessing before dinner. I Love and miss you. Your Big Brother Brad Jeff Johnston You were a lion Jay — LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1994-08-27	U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration	Peru
Searles, Stuart In Memory Of Stuart Searles Sauk County Traffic Police, WI End of watch: 1984-06-10 Aircraft: unknown helicopter Sergeant Stuart J. Searles died when his aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances. Thoughts and Memories of Stuart Searles John Duval Stuart James Searles is a sometimes forgotten victim of the Barneveld, WI tornado on June 9th, 1984. Jim was to perform recovery operations after the tornado when his helicopter apparently malfunctioned and crashed. He passed from this life on June 10th, 1984. He was survived by his wife Roseanne Searles, and his children Jim and Connie. I remember his funeral. He was a hero and had a hero’s funeral. The procession was miles long. He was well liked by all who knew him. Police personnel came from all over the state to pay their respects. The Searles lived next to my grandma in Baraboo, WI. I spent may summers playing with Stuart (Jim) Searles’ children, Jim and Connie. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1984-06-10	Sauk County Traffic Police	WI
Searles, Stuart In Memory Of Stuart Searles Sauk County Sheriff's Department, WI End of watch: 1984-06-10 Aircraft: Bell helicopter Sergeant Stuart Searles was killed in a helicopter crash while assisting with search and recovery efforts after a tornado caused heavy damage to the town of Barneveld, Iowa County, Wisconsin. The F5 tornado struck the town on June 8th, 1984, killing nine people. Sergeant Searles was detailed to fly the Wisconsin governor above the devastation the day after the tornado. On June 10th he was again requested to respond to the area to assist with recovery efforts. While en route to the area the Hiller UH-12E helicopter experienced an electrical malfunction that caused the battery to explode as it flew approximately 75 feet above ground, near Merrimac, Wisconsin. Sergeant Searles was able to maneuver the aircraft to an area without bystanders. The aircraft exploded upon impact with the ground, killing Sergeant Searles instantly. Sergeant Searles was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department for five years. He had previously served with the Windham County, Vermont, Sheriff’s Office for seven years. He was survived by his wife and two children. Thoughts and Memories of Stuart Searles No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1984-06-10	Sauk County Sheriff's Department	WI
Severson, Alan In Memory Of Alan Severson Arizona Department of Game & Fish, Wildlife, AZ End of watch: 1980-02-07 Aircraft: unknown helicopter Wildlife Manager Alan R. Severson died when his aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances. Thoughts and Memories of Alan Severson No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1980-02-07	Arizona Department of Game & Fish, Wildlife	AZ
Shaw, Ralph In Memory Of Ralph Shaw U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Mexico End of watch: 1976-05-14 Aircraft: unknown airplane Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Ralph N. Shaw, of the Calexico, California District Office, died May 14, 1976, in a plane crash north of Acapulco during an operations flight in support of Mexico’s opium eradication program. He was 40 years of age at the time of his death. Special Agent James T. Lunn, who piloted the plane, was also killed in the crash. Prior to becoming a DEA Special Agent, Shaw was a Deputy Sheriff in San Bernandino County, California, and in 1962 became a border patrol inspector on the Mexican border with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. In 1968, he transferred to the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs where he served in offices in San Diego, San Francisco, and Calexico. At the Border Patrol Academy he was a firearms and physical education instructor and also served as a class counselor for DEA Basic Agent Class 5. Thoughts and Memories of Ralph Shaw No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1976-05-14	U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration	Mexico
Sheehan, David In Memory Of David Sheehan McAlester Police Department, OK End of watch: 1981-06-30 Aircraft: unknown airplane On Thursday morning, July 30, 1981, David J. Sheehan, 28, along with Corporal Ronnie Fox, 38, and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Agent Billy Morgan, 29, were flying in a leased single-engine airplane looking for marijuana patches in Pittsburg County. Agent Morgan was the plane’s pilot. About 8:20 A.M. the plane came out of a cloud bank and Morgan had to put the plane in a steep climb to avoid a mountain. During the climb both wings cracked and the left wing fell off. The plane crashed in the foothills of the Jack Fork Mountains, six miles northeast of Daisy, just inside Pittsburg County killing all three officers. Detective Sheehan was survived by his wife Shirley and young daughter Michele. Thoughts and Memories of David Sheehan No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1981-06-30	McAlester Police Department	OK
Shepley, Jack In Memory Of Jack Shepley Kansas City Police Department, MO End of watch: 1992-12-01 Aircraft: Schweizer S300C On Tuesday, December 1, 1992 at 8:51 p.m. Sergeant Jack Shepley, Pilot, and Police Officer Stephen Faulkner, TFO, had been in the air for about 20 minutes when they were dispatched to assist other officers who were involved in a foot chase with suspects. On their way to the call, Officer Faulkner radioed an emergency to the dispatcher that they were going down near 23rd and Topping. That was the last radio contact made with the officers. The dispatcher sent emergency equipment to the location, but unfortunately the helicopter was in flames and the two officers were killed in the crash. Thoughts and Memories of Jack Shepley No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1992-12-01	Kansas City Police Department	MO
Shute, Douglas In Memory Of Douglas Shute U.S. Border Patrol, TX End of watch: 1956-06-06 Aircraft: Piper Supercub During the morning hours of June 6, 1956, Airline Pilot Douglas C. Shute was patrolling in Service aircraft N4375A, a Piper Supercub. He was working with a ground unit about 35 miles north-northwest of Comstock, Texas, engaged in “sign-cutting”, a term applied to locating and following footprints or other physical evidence left by a person in traversing an area. First contact was made with the ground unit at 7:00 a.m. when Pilot Shute landed the plane on a roadway and conferred with Patrol Inspectors James M. Carter, Emmit R. Brotherton, and Carter M. Newsome. The ground crew had located the tracks of two persons which could more readily be checked out by officers in the aircraft. Patrol Inspector James M. Carter decided to serve as observer in the aircraft while the other officers continued to follow the tracks on the ground. At about 10:00 a.m. the plane returned. Pilot Shute informed the officers by radio that the walkers had been located and had been instructed to come out of the brush to a roadway where they could be picked up by the ground crew. The plane was observed making a turn to the left and then resuming level flight at about 100 feet altitude. Shortly thereafter, the plane went into a steep climb and continued through the first one hundred or more degrees of an inside loop. The plane reached a height estimated to be 450 feet during this maneuver when it reached a stall and began a left spin from which there was no recovery. It struck the ground in vertical descent, the engine still operating at near cruising power. The wreckage was contained in a circle no larger than the wingspan. The engine was driven back into the cockpit, the force of the impact telescoping the cabin, imprisoning the pilot and the observer. Both were killed in the impact. Thoughts and Memories of Douglas Shute No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1956-06-06	U.S. Border Patrol	TX
Sites, Newton In Memory Of Newton Sites West Virginia State Police, WV End of watch: 1942-08-31 Aircraft: unknown airplane Sergeant Newton Tressel Sites was killed in an aircraft accident near Parkersburg, Wood County. Thoughts and Memories of Newton Sites No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1942-08-31	West Virginia State Police	WV
Smith, Donald In Memory Of Donald Smith Oregon State Police, OR End of watch: 1983-07-11 Aircraft: unknown Trooper Donald Smith, of Gold Beach, died July 11th, 1983, when the airplane in which he was riding in crashed in a remote wilderness area in Southern Oregon while on a marijuana observation flight. The pilot Curry County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Omlin III, also died. Thoughts and Memories of Donald Smith No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1983-07-11	Oregon State Police	OR
Smith, Thomas In Memory Of Thomas Smith Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, TX End of watch: 1997-09-17 Aircraft: Bell OH-58A Deputy Thomas Jay Smith, 45, died when the helicopter he was riding in crashed near Newark, TX. The pilot, Lt. George Maurice Hendricks, 51, commander of the Tarrant County Air Unit, also died. The flight had commenced at Meacham International Airport at 0910 hours and was participating in a narcotics training mission when the incident occurred. Thoughts and Memories of Thomas Smith No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1997-09-17	Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office	TX
Smith, Weldon In Memory Of Weldon Smith U.S. Border Patrol, TX End of watch: 1979-10-19 Aircraft: Piper PA-18A During the afternoon of October 19, 1979, Pilot Smith had been working with ground agents Roxy D. Kieffe and Frank Ureta, Jr., of Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station. They were trailing aliens on the Gallagor Ranch, about 10 miles north of Guerra, Jim Hogg County, Texas. Pilot Smith returned to McAllen to refuel. As he was returning to the location of the aliens, he passed about 100 feet over Kieffe, relocated the trail, and started relaying the location to Kieffe. He said, “I found the tr-” and quit transmitting in mid-sentence. Officer Kieffe did not see the crash, but saw the smoke and ran toward it. The plane was completely engulfed in flames, destroyed by the impact and fire. Pilot Smith died on initial impact. Thoughts and Memories of Weldon Smith Anonymous Family Member A good, decent, loyal, and dedicated Patrol Agent. His absense is felt now, nearly 30 years later. JoAnn Smith It is over 26 years now that Weldon is gone. I miss him every day and I wish that our 6 grandchildren would have been able to enjoy their Grandfather. It has been hard here as our (Weldon’s and mine) missed out on a lot but I will say for the 6, 3 and 1 years he got to be a Dad he was the best Dad ever. I miss you and I love you. JoAnn Wife LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1979-10-19	U.S. Border Patrol	TX
Smith, David In Memory Of David Smith New Mexico State Police, NM End of watch: 1984-08-06 Aircraft: unknown airplane Patrolman Smith and Patrolman Lowell Howard were killed in an aircraft accident while performing an aerial speed enforcement operation. After the operation ended the officers radioed that they were going to fly over the enforcement zone one last time. As they did so one of the aircraft wheels struck a powerline, causing the aircraft to strike the ground. Both officers were killed instantly. Patrolman Smith had been with the agency for six years and was survived by his wife, daughter, and son. Thoughts and Memories of David Smith No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1984-08-06	New Mexico State Police	NM
Smith, Robert In Memory Of Robert Smith U.S. Customs and Border Protection, TX End of watch: 2007-05-22 Aircraft: AS350B Air Interdiction Agent Robert F. Smith was killed when the helicopter he was piloting crashed during a routine patrol mission along the U.S.-Mexican border. The crash also injured 30-year-old tactical flight officer Steven Takacs, who had been with the U.S. Border Patrol for four years. Agent Smith had been with the agency for 16 years after a serving as a pilot in the U.S. Navy. He joined U.S. Customs in 1991 and worked assignments in Jacksonville, Florida, Puerto Rico, and New York City before moving to El Paso, Texas. Agent Smith is survived by his wife and two teenage children. Thoughts and Memories of Robert Smith Joe B. Hicks We attended the UH-60 Qualification Course together at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in 1992. He was a good man, a good friend and a great American who spent his adult life in service to this great nation. He will be missed and may he rest in peace! LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2007-05-22	U.S. Customs and Border Protection	TX
Smythe, Kelly In Memory Of Kelly Smythe Tulsa Police Department, OK End of watch: 1982-03-26 Aircraft: Hughes 300C Officer Kelly L. Smythe died when the police helicopter he was in crashed while assisting patrol units during a pursuit. Also killed was pilot Officer Chance Whiteman. Radio contact was lost with the helicopter during the pursuit. The helicopter struck a tree and crashed a half-mile west of U.S. 75 just south of 66th Street North. The driver of the car was arrested. The helicopter program was only 10 days old at the time of the crash. Thoughts and Memories of Kelly Smythe David T. Gunn Kelly and I shared many classes in high school. Shared a lot of conversations in the hallways and off campus. A great guy and friend. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1982-03-26	Tulsa Police Department	OK
Snowden, Ross In Memory Of Ross Snowden Pennsylvania State Police, PA End of watch: 1974-01-17 Aircraft: Bell 47G-4A On January 17, 1974, Trooper Ross Snowden and Mr. Donald Glass, Superintendent of the Reading Municipal Airport, were flying an observation patrol of the approaches to the airport. The helicopter crashed and both men were killed. Trooper Snowden was the first Department pilot killed in a helicopter crash. According to a report by Captain Nicholas Pauley, director of the Aviation Division, Trooper Snowden had discussed preferred funeral arrangements with his father a few days before the crash. Trooper Snowden was buried with full military honors at Woodlawn Cemetery, Uniontown. Over 100 Troopers formed the funeral escort and honor guard. More than 500 police officers representing 45 police agencies from 5 states attended to pay their respects. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Shirley Ann Snowden, of Mohnton, Berks County. At 33, Trooper Snowden had completed three years and nine months of Pennsylvania State Police service. Ross E. Snowden was born July 19, 1940, at Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Prior to enlisting in the Pennsylvania State Police, Snowden served in the US Air Force from October 1959 to October 1965. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police from Uniontown on April 9, 1970, and was assigned to Troop E, Erie. In July 1972 he transferred to the Aviation Division at Troop L, Reading. Thoughts and Memories of Ross Snowden Jeff Snowden Ross Snowden was my father. He was taken from us when I was only 9 years old. My fondest memories were the couple of time that I was able to go flying with him. Over the years, many people that knew him have told me what a wonderful man he was. I followed in his footsteps and obtained my own fixed-wing and helicopter ratings. I wish that I could have benefited from his leadership and guidance as I grew up. I also wish that I could have know him as a man. I pray that there will be a resurrection and we will be together again. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1974-01-17	Pennsylvania State Police	PA
Snyder, John In Memory Of John Snyder U.S. Coast Guard, AK End of watch: 1981-08-07 Aircraft: Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican While performing a night hoist to a distressed fishing vessel in heavy weather. The helicopter’s tail rotor contacted the water causing the aircraft to become uncontrollable and crashed into the water. The crew drowned after egressing the inverted aircraft. The aircraft was crewed by AT3 John H. Snyder, LT Ernest P. Rivas (CG Aviator #1739), LT Joseph G. Spoja (CG Aviator #1919), and AD1 Scott E. Finfrock. All were lost. Thoughts and Memories of John Snyder No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1981-08-07	U.S. Coast Guard	AK
Soule, Byron In Memory Of Byron Soule Detroit Police Department, MI End of watch: 1974-06-28 Aircraft: Bell 47G While on routine patrol along the Detroit River, a Beechcraft D-18 aircraft in distress descended into the flight path of the Detroit Police Aviation helicopter after losing part of its wing and tail section. The Beechcraft D-18 crash landed at City Airport. Officers Byron Soule and Jon Ryckman of the Detroit Police Department lost their lives in the line of duty. Thoughts and Memories of Byron Soule Michael Cherry (Senior pilot DPD Retired) Byron and I entered the department together in Jan. 1965. After I was transfered to the Aviation Section in 1972, he was brought in as my observer. We flew together for about two years before the accident. He had gone to the afternoon shift from days,for a month, and I was to pick him up again on July first. Not only was Byron a very good police officer, he was also one of my best friends. He has been missed deeply over the last 30 years. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1974-06-28	Detroit Police Department	MI
Spencer, Gerald In Memory Of Gerald Spencer Hampshire Police, UK End of watch: 1985-05-15 Aircraft: Edgley Optica OA7 Gerry was a serving Constable Pilot when he died together with his Observer/Photograher, Detective Malcolm Wiltshire. Having completed a photographic mission he was recorded as telling ATC that he was complete and returning to base. Less than 3 mins after that transmission the aircraft was seen to spiral dive into a small copse of trees and catch fire. Both crew were killed instantly on impact. No medical or mechanical causes could be found , but it was speculated by The Air Accident Branch that an over centred fuel valve could have contributed to fuel starvation. No proven cause was entered. Gerry was 37-years old when he died leaving a wife Patty and two children. On the 20th anniversary of his death 2005, surviving members of The unit from 1985 gathered at his graveside to lay a wreath and leave a letter. He is sadly missed. Thoughts and Memories of Gerald Spencer Peter Churchward I first remember Gerry Spencer as a blond haired young police cadetin Winchester. He was a very likeable lad and I little thought that some years leter we would work together. Some years later I was in a rural arae and Gerry was a member of Traffic division. We would meet and talk ‘planes. He took his PPL, I did not get that far. When the force Air Support wing started Gerry was appointed as one of the pilots. A few years later I managed to get onto the unit as an observer/ navigator and was assigned to fly with him. I think we worked well as a team. He was professional but still great fun to fly with. When the unit went full time, we continued working together until the fateful day in May 1985 when I briefed Gerry and Malcolm Wiltshire for the flight before strapping Malcolm in. They took off never to return. We continue to remember Gerry as each year passes. 21 years now! LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1985-05-15	Hampshire Police	UK

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