Fallen Hero Memorial

Name	End of Watch	Agency	State/Country
Blount, Kevin In Memory Of Kevin Blount Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, CA End of watch: 2005-07-13 Aircraft: AEC EC120 Deputy Kevin Blount was killed on July 13, 2005, while serving as observer on the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department’s Helicopter, Star 6. Deputy Joe Kievernagel was piloting the craft and Deputy Eric Henrikson was in the aircraft, training to be an observer. The helicopter soon responded to assist with a burglary call at a Folsom business. After clearing the call they flew over the Lake Natoma area to check on the welfare of the hundreds of people who had gathered at the lake to get relief from the intense heat being experienced in the Sacramento area. What happened next will remain in the hearts and minds of the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department’s personnel forever. Star 6 developed catastrophic engine trouble. Witnesses reported that the pilot seemed to be trying in vain to control the craft. The helicopter continued out of control and crashed into the side of a hill. Deputies Joe Kievernagel and Kevin Blount were killed. Deputy Eric Henrikson was critically injured. Deputy Kievernagel and Deputy Blount were highly regarded professionals and truly dedicated to their assignments in Air Operations. Thoughts and Memories of Kevin Blount Laura Blount Kevin was my brother. IS my brother. He was the best brother, cop, friend, son, grandson, man in the world. He will be loved and missed everyday by all who knew him. Life will never be the same without him! Mom Kevin, I miss you so much. I think about you many times a day. It’s said that time helps you get over the death of a loved one. It’s been over two years now and the grief is as if the accident happened yesterday. Our lives will never be the same. I love you Son, Mom Ron Paana Kevin was one the most upbeat guys I ever met. He always had a smile on his face. He played on our softball team and even when we were getting beat badly, he would have something upbeat and funny to say. While at Air ops, he strived to be one of the best crew members ever and succeeded. I will miss him but never forget him. RJP#420 Wm “Tory” Torrington Kevin was a fantastic guy. I flew with him and was his pilot/partner for the majority of his time in our unit. He was one of the few guys that I’ve flown with who could look up from his work in the cockpit, take a look around at the clouds, sunset, skyline, whatever and tell me that he couldn’t believe that we got paid to do what we do. He truly loved being a cop in the sky, as much as I do. He couln’t wait until he was assigned to fly with his old beat partner, Joe Kievernagel. I’ll miss them both for a very long time. TT #658 LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2005-07-13	Sacramento County Sheriff's Department	CA
Blue, John In Memory Of John Blue U.S. Border Patrol, AZ End of watch: 1973-10-04 Aircraft: unknown airplane Senior Patrol Agent John S. Blue was stationed at Yuma, Arizona, where, while serving as an observer, he was killed in the crash of a Border Patrol airplane being flown by Airplane Pilot Friedrich Karl, also of Yuma. The officers were on a signcutting and aircraft patrol assignment, having departed from the Yuma County Airport at approximately 6:00 a.m., on October 4, 1973. The flight also served to acquaint Senior Patrol Agent Blue with portions of the Yuma Sector since he had transferred there a short time before. After some five hours of flight, the officers landed at the Stoker Company airport at Tacna, Arizona, for a rest stop and to communicate with units from the Tacna Station relative to patrol plans and operations. At approximately 12:00 noon, shortly after take-off from Tacna, the airplane struck a static line near the top of 52-foot poles of the Wellton Irrigation District power line. Contact of the landing gear with the static line caused the plane to flip, invert, and fall to the ground in an upside-down position. Both of the officers were killed instantly upon impact. Thoughts and Memories of John Blue No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1973-10-04	U.S. Border Patrol	AZ
Bockman, Ray In Memory Of Ray Bockman Kern County Sheriff's Department, CA End of watch: 1986-08-16 Aircraft: Cessna 182 August 16, 1986 was scheduled as a training session for the Sheriff’s Department Aerosquadron and Search and Rescue units. The mission objectives were to see how a fixed-wing aircraft could be used to search for drowning victims in the Kern River, state certify Ray Bockman’s search dog in a fixed-wing aircraft, and acclimate Sergeant Marvin Kline in a small fixed-wing aircraft since he was second-in-command for the Search and Rescue unit and had never flown in a small aircraft. Doug Moonen, the volunteer Aerosquadron pilot with 12,000 hours of flight time, was piloting his Cessna 182 along the Kern River at a low altitude. Sergeant Marvin Kline was on the passenger side and Roy Bockman and his dog Kelly were in the back of the plane. The team was searching for drowning victims in the Kern River from the mouth of the canyon to Hart Park. Apparently, Doug Moonen forgot about the low electrical wires across the Kern River on the west end of Hart Park and piloted the plane into the wires. The investigation revealed Doug Moonen’s airplane clipped the electrical wires forcing the aircraft to the ground in a violent motion striking trees and killing all three men and the dog on impact. Doug Moonen’s aircraft came to rest on the north side of Mirror Lake approximately 200 yards from the west entrance of Hart Park. A monument now stands at the crash site to honor the four members of the plane crash. Deputy Bockman had been on the Kern County Sheriff’s Department for 11 years. Thoughts and Memories of Ray Bockman No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1986-08-16	Kern County Sheriff's Department	CA
Bohlender, Charles In Memory Of Charles Bohlender Topeka Police Department, KS End of watch: 2000-06-13 Aircraft: Schweizer S300C Officer Charles Joseph “Joey” Bohlender Jr., 33, a TFO and nine-year veteran of the Topeka Police Department, was killed while assisting on a burglary call in southwest Topeka. The helicopter was orbiting the scene as officers were inside investigating the alarm. Witnesses said the helicopter was circling in a tight pattern when dispatchers received a radio call from the helicopter stating they were going down. The aircraft spun and crashed into a field bursting into flames. Pilot Officer Jeff William Howey, 37, was also killed. During his nine-year career with the Topeka Police Department, Officer Bohlender served in the patrol division, the anti-crime team, the SCAT/narcotics unit, the special response team, and the motorcycle unit. He had been a member of the helicopter unit since May 13, 2000. He twice was awarded the department’s Medal of Valor, in 1996 and 1999. Officer Bohlender was thirty-three years old at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife Linda and three children. Thoughts and Memories of Charles Bohlender No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2000-06-13	Topeka Police Department	KS
Bohuslov, Leroy In Memory Of Leroy Bohuslov Alaska Department of Fish and Game, AK End of watch: 1964-03-05 Aircraft: Champion 150 Officers Leroy Garvin Bohuslov and Gary Wohlfeil died when their aircraft crashed near Fairwell, Alaska, during a caribou survey. Their plane, a Champion 150, was located after a four day search. Officer Bohuslov had served with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for 4 years. He was survived by his wife and four children. Thoughts and Memories of Leroy Bohuslov No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1964-03-05	Alaska Department of Fish and Game	AK
Bonilla-Gonzalez, Jose In Memory Of Jose Bonilla-Gonzalez Puerto Rico Police Department, PR End of watch: 1993-07-26 Aircraft: Hughes 369D Officer Jose Ramon Bonilla Gonzalez was killed when the helicopter he was in struck power lines while undertaking a rescue attempt over Carraizo River Dam. Also killed were Officers William Colon Gurgos and Edgardo Gutierrez Colon. Thoughts and Memories of Jose Bonilla-Gonzalez No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1993-07-26	Puerto Rico Police Department	PR
Boone, Jack In Memory Of Jack Boone Columbus Police Department, GA End of watch: 1973-02-15 Aircraft: unknown Officer Jack E. Boone died when his aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances. Thoughts and Memories of Jack Boone Dr. John Trotter As a young teenager, I knew Jack Boone. I was a friend of his sons, Jack, Jr. (now a lawyer in Augusta, Georgia) and Mike (now deceased). My father coached him when he was in high school in the early 1950s. He was a detective with the Columbus Police Department, and he was a personal bodyguard to Mayor J. R. Allen. Their plane got iced-up in 1973 on the way home from Rome, Georgia, and it went down. Mayor Allen and Detective Boone both were killed in the crash. Det. Boone was a very upbeat and fun-loving individual. He was very fun to be around. I liked him very much. He had two bothers, Herman and Billy. I was also friends of their sons, Herman, Jr. (Bubba) and Billy, Jr. The Boone cousins were good athletes, and we had a lot of fun together. Det. Boone’s death was a real tragedy. May his spirit rest in peace. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1973-02-15	Columbus Police Department	GA
Born, Torsten In Memory Of Torsten Born Saxony Police Department, DEU End of watch: 2005-01-17 Aircraft: PZL W-3A Pilot Polizeikommissar Torsten Born, 35, and TFO Polizeiobermeister Sven Vidoni, 33, were killed when their police helicopter crashed and caught fire in a forest. The incident occurred around 11:15 a.m. local time near the city of Thalheim in the Ore Mountains. Three other officers in the rear cabin were seriously injured. Thoughts and Memories of Torsten Born No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2005-01-17	Saxony Police Department	DEU
Bossen, James In Memory Of James Bossen Indianapolis International Airport Police Department, IN End of watch: 1982-02-05 Aircraft: unknown airplane Officer James Douglas Bossen was killed while piloting an aircraft on a prisoner transportation flight. The aircraft crashed in heavy fog, approximately four miles from the Virginia and North Carolina state line, killing all on board. Officer Bossen was a Vietnam veteran and had previously served with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department in Indiana for 12 years. Thoughts and Memories of James Bossen No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1982-02-05	Indianapolis International Airport Police Department	IN
Bowman, Stephen In Memory Of Stephen Bowman U.S. Department of Agriculture, TN End of watch: 1998-06-24 Aircraft: Bell OH-58A+ TFO Stephen Allen Bowman, a forest service law enforcement officer from Greenville TN, was killed while searching for a marijuana grow site. Pilot Captain Charles Harvey of the Tennessee National Guard, also died. The accident site was found about 100 miles north of Knoxville, TN, after a three day search. Thoughts and Memories of Stephen Bowman Coty Allen Bowman Steve Bowman was my father. He was the best man I have ever met. He was a great husband, father, friend, Christian and officer. He worked for the Forest Service and in the summers was on the Governors Drug Task Force. He was riding in a National Guard helicopter with a terrific pilot named Charlie Harvey. It is such a tragedy that their deaths could have been avoided. The helicopter had been damaged previously and not properly repaired, The propeller came off as they were returning to the airport. It was found a mile away from the crash site. I miss him every day. I am now in my 30s and have many health problems. I am so grateful to have had him as my father. I am so proud of the way he lived his life and the way he did his job. I love you Dad. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1998-06-24	U.S. Department of Agriculture	TN
Box, Michael In Memory Of Michael Box U.S. Border Patrol, TX End of watch: 1950-08-29 Aircraft: unknown airplane Just after dawn on August 29, 1950, Airplane Pilot Michael T. Box was patrolling by plane in the irrigated farm area about 20 miles north of El Paso, Texas, searching for aliens who had walked through the desert at night and were attempting to get away to the north through the upper Rio Grande Valley. Pilot Box was working with two ground crews who were in radio-equipped jeeps. The operation had netted several aliens and others were being sought when the engine of the aircraft stopped and the plane crashed. The plane burst into flames, however, fellow officers were able to remove Pilot Box from the aircraft within minutes after the crash occurred. Artificial respiration was commenced immediately and was continued until Pilot Box was pronounced dead by a doctor who lived nearby. Investigation into the accident revealed that the motor of the aircraft ceased apparently due to difficulty in the fuel system. Pilot Box maintained control of the plane as it lost altitude and maneuvered the aircraft into position to make an emergency landing in an irrigation ditch. The aircraft struck a submerged object on the canal bottom upon impact. Pilot Box’s seat strap was broken and he was thrown with terrific force into the wheel and instrument panel. Thoughts and Memories of Michael Box No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1950-08-29	U.S. Border Patrol	TX
Boyd, William In Memory Of William Boyd Delaware State Police, DE End of watch: 1975-01-01 Aircraft: unknown Corporal William D. Boyd died when his aircraft cashed into a tree while trying to land at the scene of a traffic accident in Pike Creek. Thoughts and Memories of William Boyd No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1975-01-01	Delaware State Police	DE
Brachlin, Kurt In Memory Of Kurt Brachlin Hamburg Police, Germany End of watch: 1996-08-06 Aircraft: Eurocopter Bo105S Kurt Brachlin [46] died when his aircraft crashed while practicing a search and rescue mission with police divers. Also killed were Pilot Hauptkommissar Holger Eichhofer [50], Bordwart Wolfgang Friedrichsen [46], Birger Nowak [42], and Nicolai Brandt [33]. Thoughts and Memories of Kurt Brachlin No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1996-08-06	Hamburg Police	Germany
Brandt, Nicolai In Memory Of Nicolai Brandt Hamburg Police, Germany End of watch: 1996-08-06 Aircraft: Eurocopter Bo105S Nicolai Brandt [33] died when his aircraft crashed while practicing a search and rescue mission with police divers. Also killed were Pilot Hauptkommissar Holger Eichhofer [50], Bordwart Wolfgang Friedrichsen [46], Birger Nowak [42], and Kurt Brachlin [46]. Thoughts and Memories of Nicolai Brandt No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1996-08-06	Hamburg Police	Germany
Breceda, Lawrence In Memory Of Lawrence Breceda Siskiyou County Sheriff's Department, CA End of watch: 1986-07-31 Aircraft: unknown Reserve Deputy Sheriff Lawrence Eugene Breceda, 29, of Montague and Deputy Sheriff Dale Steven Rossetto, 30, of Yreka were, at the time of the crash, on a marijuana-spotting mission in conjunction with the state’s Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) program. Also killed was Redding pilot Noah Stinnett, 46. The deputies’ deaths marked the first fatalities in the Sheriff’s Department in more than 30 years, and marked the first time officers have been killed during the four-year history of the CAMP program. Siskiyou County sheriff’s deputy Gary Peery said this morning that several at the ceremony had attended the regional police academy in Oroville with Breceda and Rossetto. In a eulogy by Peery and fellow deputy Larry Schaller, Breceda and Rossetto were described as “heroes” who died while working to better their community. The crowd stood in applause as Schaller told the victims’ families the deputies had not “died in vain.” Thoughts and Memories of Lawrence Breceda Ann Newcomer Larry was my cousin. He had a smile that would melt anyone’s heart. He loved life. He left two beautiful baby boys behind who would grow up to never know how much their daddy loved them. I was at his father’s house in Montague when they discovered the crash site and will never forget the look in his father’s eyes (Gene Breceda) when Larry’s death was confirmed. As a parent, I know the hardest thing you would ever want to hear is that your child is dead. My heart still grieves for the terrible loss of our beloved Larry. His father has since gone to meet him and I know they are together waiting for the rest of us. Darrell Frost It’s been a while since those begining days of eraticating Marijuana. Larry and Dale were both working in the Jail and a few of us did the field work. Larry and Dale wanted to do it all. They worked the jail and every chance they would be out locating grows. Larry grew up in Shasta Valley and we started pretty close to the same time. We went to High school together, but we didn’t always see eye to eye. 5 years out of School and I guess we changed ( Grew up ). Larry was always a hard worker. He was fair and balanced. He left way too soon. Love ya Brother. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1986-07-31	Siskiyou County Sheriff's Department	CA
Brennon, Bryant In Memory Of Bryant Brennon Honolulu Police Department, HI End of watch: 1995-07-21 Aircraft: Hughes 369D Police Officers Bryant Brennon Bayne and Tate Douglas Kahakai were assisting in the search of a missing hiker. They were being carried in a basket underneath a Honolulu Fire Department helicopter. On approach to a mountainside, the aircraft crashed killing both officers and the fire department pilot, Peter Crown. Thoughts and Memories of Bryant Brennon No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1995-07-21	Honolulu Police Department	HI
Brolin, David In Memory Of David Brolin Royal Canadian Mounted Police, CAN End of watch: 2012-01-17 Aircraft: Eurocopter AS350 B3 On January 17th, RCMP helicopter pilot, Dave Brolin, crashed in the Cultus Lake area of Chilliwack. He had just successfully completed a training exercise and was preparing to return to base when the helicopter was seen crashing. Dave was the sole occupant and was taken to hospital by RCMP Emergency Response Team members who were present as part of the training exercise. Dave was a Civilian Member of the RCMP family and he will be missed. Thoughts and Memories of David Brolin No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2012-01-17	Royal Canadian Mounted Police	CAN
Brookbush, Kirk In Memory Of Kirk Brookbush San Francisco Police Department, CA End of watch: 2000-01-11 Aircraft: Bell OH58 Aircraft Mechanic Officer James Dougherty, 56, was killed when his helicopter, “Air One”, went down in a flat and barren farm field near Interstate 5 in Crows Landing, about 80 miles east of San Francisco and 30 miles southwest of Modesto. Pilot Inspector Kirk Brookbush, 49, was also killed. Both men had been with the force for more than 25 years. After active duty in Vietnam, Brookbush served in a Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon of the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment (Airborne), and one year with the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department. He joined the San Francisco Police Department on September 11, 1972. His career took him through rotations at four different police stations, the Department Specialist Team (1985-1988), the Tactical Unit (1988-1990), the Crime Scene Investigations Unit (1994-1999), and the Air Support Unit to which he was assigned in August 1999. He was promoted to the rank of Inspector last year. Brookbush, the department’s only chopper pilot since he took over in October, also served as a fixed-wing pilot with the 82nd Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. He was well known for making parachute jumps into Candlestick Park before Giants and 49er games. Chief Lau said that Brookbush’s flight instructor described him as one of the most safety-minded and conscientious pilots he’s ever trained. He was awarded a gold medal, the department’s highest award, in 1980 after capturing a man who shot his partner. Brookbush, who was 49 years old, brought enthusiasm and expertise to each of his assignments, along with a methodical and conscientious approach to his work that made him extremely valuable to the Department. He was an avid and experienced aviator, licensed to fly several different types of planes and helicopters. During his 27 years in the Department, he earned a Gold Medal of Valor, three Police Commission Commendations, and 65 Captain’s Commendations. Outgoing and personable, he was particularly popular with the public he served; he received 68 Citizen Complimentary letters. His wife Suzanne and his son Andrew survive Brookbush. They lived in Hayward, not far from the airport where he kept his small plane. Thoughts and Memories of Kirk Brookbush Bob Barnett I was surprised and saddened to find that someone I knew and respected was listed as killed in the line of duty. Last Thursday I was visiting the California Capitol and noticed Kirk’s name on the plaque for the year 2000 at the memorial of police officers. I was a flight instructor at San Carlos airport in the late 70’s and Kirk was a student of mine in 1978 and 1979. I helped him achieve his Commercial and Instrument ratings. He had said he wanted to go on and make aviation a big part of his life. He liked to talk about his skydiving exploits too. I will say one thing about Kirk: once you meet him you never forget him. The staff at Flood Aviation (where I worked) and I always enjoyed his presence and his stories, and would talk about him long after he had left the building. I got the impression that he is someone who I would not want to be chasing me if I was a bad guy. I have never known a tougher guy, yet he knew when to use it, and when not to. I had lost touch with him and just about everyone from that job, but wanted to relay these few thoughts, at least, for a man who I was proud to know. Thanks for providing this site to do just that. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2000-01-11	San Francisco Police Department	CA
Brosch, Kevin In Memory Of Kevin Brosch Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, AR End of watch: 1986-07-24 Aircraft: unknown helicopter Criminal Investigator Kevin L. Brosch, Jefferson County, Arkansas Sheriff’s Office, was killed on July 24, 1986, in a helicopter crash in Mt. Ida, Arkansas. He was 34 years of age at the time of his death. Criminal Investigator Brosch was participating in a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Marijuana Eradication Spotter School, when the helicopter in which he was riding crashed shortly after taking off on a marijuana eradication mission. Officers James A. Avant and Charles M. Bassing also died as a result of the crash. The pilot and a DEA Special Agent were also critically injured in the crash. Criminal Investigator Brosch had been a member of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, for six years. He was assigned as a drug coordinator in the Criminal Investigation Division. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, Brosch was assigned to the Pine Bluff Police Department. He was survived by his wife and two children. Thoughts and Memories of Kevin Brosch Michael D. Albano I met Keven around 1956 or so when they moved into my neighborhood in Dearborn. We soon became best friends and his family became one of my family’s best friends. I think of Kevin often and will, never, ever forget him. Mike Holrath Kevin and I worked as patrolmen for the Pine Bluff Police Dept in the early 80’s. His 2 children were the same age as mine, we were good friends and he always had a story and a smile to share. He was a great policeman and a true friend. Wish I could say hello to his family he left behind. Robert H. Lee I met Kevin while he was working with the Army’s AWOL Apprehension Unit out of Ft. Sill, Oklahoma…He would stay in temporary lodging at Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas when they were working in the area. He met his wife, Diane, who was a chemical lab specialist working for/with me at PBA. He got out of the Army and travelled with Diane to some of our CONUS TDY stations….Then he started working as a law enforcement officer in the Pine Bluff area. He was a dedicated husband, father, friend, and law enforcement officer. We were transferred to Hawaii and then to Sacramento California….I didn’t find out about Kevin’s helicopter accident and death until sometime afterward. I was deeply saddened about Kevin’s death and to know that Diane and the children were also missing a husband and their father. I located Diane several years ago back in Illinois, I believe Melrose Park, but now seem to have lost track of her. Not sure if she’s in Illinois, NY, or Colorado, but I will look as time permits. I would like to again know how she and the kids are faring. We miss you Kevin. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1986-07-24	Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office	AR
Bryant, Glover In Memory Of Glover Bryant Okeechobee County Sheriff's Department, FL End of watch: 1991-11-08 Aircraft: unknown airplane Glover “Skip” E. Bryant III, a lifetime resident of Okeechobee, was the son of G. E. “Bo” Bryant II and Mary Ann Bryant. His father served as county judge from 1956-1985. Judge Bryant died in 1985. Skip graduated from Okeechobee High School in 1964. He then enlisted in the Navy in 1965, where he served four years of duty. While serving his country, he met his wife, Virginia. They were married in December of 1970. Skip and Ginny were blessed with three lovely daughters, Laura and twins, Madonna and Melissa. In the years following his military service, Skip pursued a variety of careers. He sold insurance for Farm Bureau, Independent Life and Life of Georgia, was an ordained minister at Dunklin Memorial Church, ran an alarm installation business, and was the owner of Skips Bar-B-Q of Okeechobee. It was law enforcement, however, which Skip really loved and enjoyed. He joined the Okeechobee County Sheriffs Office as an Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff in 1982. In 1987 Skip was employed as a full-time Deputy Sheriff, and he completed the police academy in December of 1987. On November 8, 1991, shortly after the hour of midnight, Skip lost his life while doing two of the two things he loved the most, flying and law enforcement. Deputy Sheriff Skip Bryant and pilot, Lt. Hank Hancock were flying over Lake Okeechobee searching for two missing boaters when their plane crashed into the lake. Lt. Hancock was able to escape the wreckage of the plane, although he sustained multiple injuries. Heroic efforts were made by Lt. Hancock and other search and rescue members to save Skip, but to no avail. Skip Bryant passed away that night, however, memories of him are very much alive. Both his life and death have greatly impacted the community of Okeechobee. Thoughts and Memories of Glover Bryant No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1991-11-08	Okeechobee County Sheriff's Department	FL
Buckelew, William In Memory Of William Buckelew U.S. Border Patrol, TX End of watch: 1954-06-23 Aircraft: unknown airplane Airplane pilot William F. Buckelew was stationed at Laredo, Texas; however, at the time of his death, he was on official detail, assigned to the Special Mobile Task Force with headquarters at McAllen, Texas. This task force was engaged in a special program conducted by the Service to bring the illegal alien situation under control. On July 23, 1954, Airplane Pilot Buckelew was assigned to serve as pilot during a flight wherein the aircraft worked in conjunction with ground units checking laborers on farms in the vicinity of Rio Grande City, Texas. Patrol Inspector Donald Kee was on the flight as an observer. The joint operation had resulted in ten aliens being taken into custody by the ground teams. The patrol aircraft had just made a low pass over a cotton field near the Rio Grande River and was banking to return to the field when it was seen to spin and plunge into the river. The plane burst into flames which hampered rescue operations by officers and bystanders in the area. Several persons were hospitalized suffering from burns sustained in the rescue efforts. The crash occurred about 4:00 p.m., approximately two miles downstream from the Rio Grande City Bridge. Pilot Buckelew was still alive when he was removed from the plane but died 45 minutes later at the hospital. Thoughts and Memories of William Buckelew No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1954-06-23	U.S. Border Patrol	TX
Bunker, Stephen In Memory Of Stephen Bunker Maryland State Police, MD End of watch: 2008-09-27 Aircraft: Eurocopter Dauphin Pilot Stephen H. Bunker, a retired MSP Corporal, was killed in a helicopter crash while performing a medical evacuation of two critically injured teenagers from Charles County, Maryland. During the flight, the Eurocopter Dauphin helicopter encountered severe weather while en-route to the Prince Georgeâ€™s Hospital Center. Pilot Bunker, diverted to Andrews Air Force Base to rendezvous with two ambulances to complete the transport of the patients. Shortly before midnight, the helicopter crashed several miles short of the runway in Walker Mill Regional Park. Pilot Bunker was 59 years of age and was appointed to the Maryland State Police as Trooper on November 30, 1972. He retired as a Corporal in July 1998 and returned to the MSP Aviation Command as a civilian pilot. Pilot Bunker is survived by his wife and three children.â€‹ Thoughts and Memories of Stephen Bunker No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2008-09-27	Maryland State Police	MD
Buntrock, Samuel In Memory Of Samuel Buntrock Idaho Department of Fish and Game, ID End of watch: 1974-05-29 Aircraft: unknown airplane Conservation Officer Samuel B. Buntrock was killed when his airplane crashed while conducting an elk survey. Thoughts and Memories of Samuel Buntrock No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1974-05-29	Idaho Department of Fish and Game	ID
Butler, George In Memory Of George Butler California Highway Patrol, CA End of watch: 1986-12-08 Aircraft: unknown helicopter Officer George F. Butler, 52, was flying as an observer in a CHP helicopter that was taking aerial photographs of a double traffic fatality on Interstate 80 near Dixon. After finishing the photographs, the helicopter set down a short distance from the accident scene in an open field adjacent to an irrigation canal. Butler exited the left side of the aircraft and proceeded to walk up the edge of the canal’s raised berm when he was struck by the helicopter’s main rotor and was hurled into the empty irrigation canal. The 21-year veteran of the CHP was killed instantly. Thoughts and Memories of George Butler No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1986-12-08	California Highway Patrol	CA
Cain, Colleen In Memory Of Colleen Cain U.S. Coast Guard, HI End of watch: 1982-01-07 Aircraft: Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard It was 4 a.m. when the helicopter lifted off from Barbers Point Air Station in torrential rains and heavy winds. They were responding to a distress call from the Pan Am, a 74-foot fishing boat that was taking on water off Maui and was in danger of sinking. By 5:15 a.m., the Coast Guard had lost radio contact with the crew. Almost nine hours later, another helicopter discovered the wreckage on a steep ridge in Moloka’I’s Wailau Valley. The entire crew died in the crash. Lt. Colleen A. Cain (CG Aviator #1988), 29, of Burlington, Iowa, was the first female helicopter pilot in the Coast Guard and the first woman Coast Guard pilot killed during a rescue effort. Also killed in the crash were LCDR Horton W. Johnson (CG Aviator #1635) and AD2 David L. Thompson. Thoughts and Memories of Colleen Cain Captain John B. McGill USN (ret) I was Colleen’s flight primary flight instructor in Training Squadron Two (VT-2) at NAS Whiting Field. She was my first student to complete training and I attended her winging ceremony where she was all smiles. She was a remarkable and talented student and a superb officer. Connie Corkery Colleen was my cousin, she was the oldest cousin on the Corkery side of the family. Many of my family served in the military, none were killed until Colleen. She was the apple of my grandma’s eye. She was the pride of her family. Being the oldest, she was looked up to, she was fun when it came to games and she took good care of her sister Cathleen when is mentally challenged. We miss her and wish her career would of ended with retirement, but she choose what she wanted to do and stuck with it. You family loves you Colleen your heroism is an example for women who want to take a path in the military. See you on the other side. Love your family. Michael Fratta I was a non-rate seaman standing security watch the evening of her final flight. My recollection of the weather that night is still vivid in my mind. The winds were howling and it was pouring rain,as they taxied to the heli-pad for takeoff. I could hardly believe the crew was prepared to take their single engine helicopter offshore in these extreme conditions. The news of the crash devistated all of the station’s personnel. The HH-52A helicopter was flying lower than it should have been and it impacted a cliff on Molokai. The wreckage was eventually flown back to Barbers Point, HI. for investigators to review. The United States Coast Guard is a remarkable service because of aviators like Colleen Cain who exemplify the U.S.C.G motto, Semper Paratus. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1982-01-07	U.S. Coast Guard	HI
Caines, James In Memory Of James Caines U.S. Coast Guard, CA End of watch: 1997-06-08 Aircraft: HH-65A Dolphin Responding to a sailing vessel taking on water at night the crew of CG-6549 perished in poor weather conditions and high seas. It is believed that the aircraft impacted the water while attempting to make an approach to the vessel. The aircraft was crewed by ASM3 James G. Caines, LT Jeffrey F. Crane (CG Aviator #3188), LTJG Charles W. Thigpen IV (CG Aviator #3310), and AD3 Richard L. Hughes. All were lost. Thoughts and Memories of James Caines Cathy I was stationed with Jim at USCG Station Ft Pierce. I always liked Jim – he was quick with a smile and had such a bright outlook on life. He was a HUGE UGA Bulldogs fan, and we could talk for HOURS about Herschel Walker, Buck Belue, Lindsay Scott, and the rest of the ’80 Dawgs. Jim was a genuinely nice guy. His death was a tragedy. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1997-06-08	U.S. Coast Guard	CA
Calik, Kudret In Memory Of Kudret Calik Antalya Police, TUR End of watch: 2006-07-19 Aircraft: MD600 A police helicopter flying over the Antalya coast crashed in the late afternoon in the center of the city. The helicopter, a MD600N, was carrying five top level members of the police force, all of whom were killed in the accident. The helicopter was piloted by Chief Police Officer, Pilot Kudret Calik and Chief Police Officer, Pilot Hakan Kaya. It is believed that the pilots were attempting to make an emergency landing at a nearby football stadium, but landed short in the street. The aircraft exploded on impact. Calik, 30, graduated from the police academy in 1998, and had been assigned to the aviation department since 2001. He was married with one child. Thoughts and Memories of Kudret Calik No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2006-07-19	Antalya Police	TUR
Capes, Gavin In Memory Of Gavin Capes Western Australia Police, Australia End of watch: 2001-01-26 Aircraft: Cessna 310R Constable Gavin Capes died when the aircraft he was in crashed and burst into flames near Newman. Also killed were Constable David Dewar, Senior Constable Philip Ruland and Pilot Senior Constable Donald Everett. The crash happened while the officers were returning from Kiwirrkurra, 860km east of Newman near the Northern Territory border. The plane crashed about 9:50pm. The plane, named William G. Pense II after a police officer shot dead in Mt. Barker more than 20 years ago, was destroyed. This was the first accident involving Police Air Support in Western Australia. Thoughts and Memories of Gavin Capes Carla Anne Capes Father of Lachlan (aged 2 at the time of his accident) and step-father to Caitlin (aged 7 at the time of his accident): He was a highly motivated person who was determined to try every opportunity life offered him which is how it came about that he was on that flight on Australia Day. Every year on Australia Day, the three of us have a very emotionally confusing day, trying to carry on with life as normal as we can and celebrate the day with the rest of Australia knowing that that was also the day we wished had never existed. All of his family miss him terribly and will never stop loving him. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	2001-01-26	Western Australia Police	Australia
Carey, George In Memory Of George Carey California Highway Patrol, CA End of watch: 1982-02-24 Aircraft: unknown helicopter Officers George R. Carey and Kenneth L. Archer were killed when their air operations helicopter crashed during a search mission in the Harper Lake area west of Barstow. Carey, the 47-year-old pilot, was a 17-year CHP veteran with previous service in Indio and Visalia before becoming a helicopter pilot in 1981. Thoughts and Memories of George Carey No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1982-02-24	California Highway Patrol	CA
Carl, Kenneth In Memory Of Kenneth Carl U.S. Border Patrol, CA End of watch: 1961-06-18 Aircraft: Piper Supercub During the hours after midnight on Saturday, June 17, 1961, several jeep teams composed of Patrol Inspectors from Calexico, California, tracked two illegal aliens to an alfalfa field located approximately three miles north of the Mount Signal School and approximately nine miles southwest of El Centro, California. Personnel of the jeep patrol encircled the field and prevented possible egress of the aliens. At dawn on June 18, officers at the scene initiated a radio message to Sector Headquarters for aerial patrol assistance in spotting the aliens. Pilot Kenneth L. Carl was airborne at approximately 5:30 a.m. in Piper Supercub N8574D and proceeded to rendezvous with the jeep patrol. At the field he immediately initiated low observation passes over the field. In a short time one of the illegal aliens raised his head above the level of the alfalfa and was spotted by the pilot and ground units. When the first capture had been accomplished, the Patrol Inspectors ascertained the description, dress, and name of the second alien and radioed that information to Pilot Carl. The pilot then made repeated passes over the alfalfa field, as well as over an adjoining maize field, searching for the second alien, calling his name over the loud-speaker system, directing him to give up and surrender himself. The pilot was reported to have been flying at reduced air speed and very close to the ground. After circling the search area, the pilot flew to mid-field and then commenced a left bank which steepened rapidly to a near vertical angle. The aircraft was observed to climb to an altitude of approximately 40 feet above the ground and then to stall. The aircraft struck the ground in a flight path angle of approximately 40 degrees and stopped immediately upon impact with the soft muddy soil. Pilot Carl was pronounced dead prior to being removed from the scene of the accident. Thoughts and Memories of Kenneth Carl No one has left any Thoughts or Memories of this hero. LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS & MEMORIES	1961-06-18	U.S. Border Patrol	CA

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