CHP Helicopter In Shasta County Finds Suspect Who Shot At Deputy

A Shasta County Sheriff's Sergeant was reportedly fired upon twice by a man with a small caliber handgun on Monday evening, in the rural community of Palo Cedro.  The incident unfolded just after 5:00 pm in the 10000 block of Northgate Drive after the sergeant responded to the home to check out a disturbance between the homeowner and his 31 year old son.  As the sergeant walked toward the back yard to contact the son, he was shot at.  The suspect fled from the back yard on foot prompting an extensive manhunt with the help of CHP officers both on the ground and in the air.  While the search was ongoing, a neighbor reported hearing another gunshot in the area.  The crew on board the CHP helicopter eventually spotted a subject on top of a building on Cheshire Way.  Deputies and officers moved into the area and took the suspect into custody without further violence.  Augustine Witcraft (31) was booked into the Shasta County jail on multiple felony charges related to the assault.

Tulsa Police Helicopter Crew Tracks Burglary Suspect With FLIR

An Oklahoma burglar is in custody today thanks to the professional work of Tulsa Police Officers both in the air and on the ground.  Police responded to a burglary occurring now in the 700 block of North Delaware Place around 0130 hours Thursday morning.  The burglary suspect fled the scene just prior to officers arriving in the area, prompting a search and a response by the police helicopter.  The crew on board the helicopter used their thermal imaging FLIR camera to observe a subject on foot fleeing the area.  The officers in the helicopter tracked the subject to a nearby park as they directed fellow officers in for the arrest.  The suspect, a 26 year old Tulsa man was booked on 1st degree burglary and domestic assault and battery charges.  The Tulsa police helicopter was grounded for a time in 2009 but currently back in service.

New York State Police Helicopter Crew Finds Stolen Box Truck As Its Being Buried

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Department called in a New York State police helicopter to help them locate a stolen box truck.  Detectives in Macedon developed information on a suspect in Orleans County whose father owned a sand pit.  The truck was stolen last week from a business in Macedon.  When the police helicopter crew flew over the property where the san pit was located, they observed a man on a bulldozer in the process of burying the truck.  The man on the bulldozer and his father, the owner of the sand pit were taken into custody. Two stolen back hoes were also located on the property in Murray NY.

CHP Helicopter Assist Tehama Co. Sheriff Deputies With Vehicle Pursuit & Search

A Tehama County Sheriff's Deputy attempted a traffic stop on a white pick up truck Friday morning in the area of Cottonwood California, but the truck- which had previously been reported stolen to CHP-failed to stop.  A vehicle pursuit followed in which the truck eventually went off road and began paralleling the creek on private property known as the Holiday Ranch.  The deputy, unable to follow in his patrol vehicle, initiated a foot pursuit of the truck for the next half a mile or so.  Eventually the deputy located the truck, rolled over, with the driver no where to be found.  A significant perimeter was set up with help from the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, Tehama County District Attorney's Office, Red Bluff Police and California Highway PatrolOfficers.  The CHP helicopter "H-16" also responded and assisted in the search.  The suspect was not located.   

Palm Beach Sheriff's Pilot And TFO Walk Away From Auto-Rotation

Palm Beach Co. Sheriff's Bell 407, Eagle 1, after hard landing. (Source: CBS4) Two Palm Beach (FL) Sheriff Deputies walked away from what appears to be a successful auto-rotation Friday in the area of  Lyons Road and Atlantic Boulevard in Delray Beach.  The Bell 407 "Eagle 1" helicopter appeared to suffer heavy damage in the emergency landing- that some news agencies are calling a crash. The incident occurred around 3 PM while the helicopter was on routine patrol.  The helicopter came to rest among trees and brush with it's nose nearly touching a concrete wall which surrounds a residential neighborhood.  The helicopter narrowly missed a convenience store as it maneuvered  to land.  The rotor blades are heavily damaged as are the skids.  Auto-rotations such as this are almost always preceded by an engine-out situation, however the exact circumstances of this incident are unknown at this time.  The Pilot and TFO did suffer minor injuries and were transported to a local medical center for treatment.   

Santa Barbara Sheriff Helicopter Assist CHP With Motorcycle Pursuit

The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Helicopter was called in to assist CHP officers who were in pursuit of a speeding motorcycle in Goleta Wednesday.  It started after the motorcycle rider was clocked by a CHP motor unit traveling at 80 mph on Highway 101.  The man initially yielded to the officer but took off again as the officer dismounted his motor unit.  After a relatively short- 90 mph- pursuit the rider jumped off his motorcycle and fled over several back yard fences.  An hour long search involving the helicopter crew, CHP officers, and Goleta Police eventually resulted in the suspect being captured. He had been hiding under solar panels in a back yard.  Police then discovered that while the suspect was hiding he was texting a relative in an attempt to falsely report the motorcycle stolen.  The man was booked into jail on a number of charges including over $100,000 in warrants. 

Texas DPS Helicopter Crew Spots Fatal Gas Fire- Man Suspected of Stealing Gas Dies

A Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter crew spotted a large fire near a group of gasoline storage tanks while on routine patrol in Hidalgo County early Friday morning.  The storage tanks were located in a wooded area near 14 Mile Line and Jarachina Road. When Hidalgo County sheriff deputies and fire personnel arrived on scene they discovered a body inside a fully engulfed truck.  Preliminary evidence found at the scene indicated the man was in the process of stealing gas when the fire erupted shortly after midnight.   

Costa Mesa Helicopter Crew Remembered 25 Years After Fatal Crash

Costa Mesa Police Officers James Dave Ketchum and John W. "Mike" Libolt were killed in the line of duty in March of 1987, when their police helicopter was involved in a mid-air collision with the New Port Beach Police Helicotper.  The collision occurred just as the Costa Mesa helicopter crew was handing off a pursuit to the New Port Beach helicopter crew over the city of Irvine.  The New Port Beach helicopter was able to land without injury to the crew.  Officers Dave Ketchum and John W. Libolt paid the ultimate price as they pursued a wanted felon, in service to their community.  About 100 people gathered recenty to remember the two officers and their ultimate sacrifice. 

To read more about the recent memorial follow this link.

To read an original news report on the crash follow this link.

R.I.P. Dave and John- "Mike."

California Aviation Services To Begin Training Future Police Pilots

R-44 Police Helicopter owned by California Aviation ServicesRiverside, - CA   After 9 years of helicopter service to the City of Fontana, California Aviation Services, Inc is expanding its flight school operation to include specialized police pilot helicopter training courses.

In 2003, Leo Bell (15 year police veteran and founder of California Aviation Services, Inc) entered into a contract with the City of Fontana Ca, to provide a complete aviation unit for helicopter police patrol.  The original purpose was to have a 2 year program which would enable Fontana’s police department to learn helicopter operations, aircraft management, helicopter tactical operations, etc from the experienced group at California Aviation Services.  The initial 2 year program was intended to end in 2005 with Fontana purchasing their own helicopter and starting on their own.  However, the economical police helicopter contract was so successful the City of Fontana decided to keep Leo Bell’s police helicopter operation serving the city for an additional 7 years.  In April 2012, California Aviation will relocate the police helicopter used for Fontana’s police department, back to its flight school operation in Riverside.

California Aviation Services will now place the fully equipped Robinson R-44II Police Helicopter into full-time service at the flight school in Riverside CA.  The company has gained FAA Part 141 Approval for its Commercial Helicopter Pilot Courses and has a specialized “Police Helicopter Pilot Aircrew Course” that will be integrated into the program.  The R-44 helicopter will be utilized by civilian as well as police pilot trainees along with an experienced flight instructor onboard.

The local communities will gain benefit from the success of the California Aviation and Fontana relationship over the years.  The experienced staff at California Aviation Services will be instructing new pilots from throughout the country utilizing the aircraft formerly supplied to Fontana.  The flights will be in coordination with several local police agencies allowing hands on police pilot experience for the pilot trainees.  The communities and police departments will have the aircraft free of charge when students are conducting the training.

California Aviation Services, Inc is a leader in professional flight training and is one of very few law enforcement specialists in the helicopter industry.  FAA approved flight training courses are offered in Riverside CA.

For additional information, visit the website at www.californiaaviationservices.com.

For photos of the helicopter, visit

www.californiaaviationservices.com/about-us/photo-gallerys.html

R-44 Police Helicopter over Fontana Ca.

Outstanding Employment Opportunity in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Lexington Security Group has a contract to provide TFO Training to the Abu Dhabi Police Air Wing and is seeking an experienced current or retired airborne law enforcement professional having operational and training background in airborne traffic enforcement to provide training in Abu Dhabi. The pay and benefits are excellent.  Interested persons may contact the undersigned for a copy of the job announcement, however, resumes will be submitted directly to Lexington Security Group via the e-mail address listed in the announcement.  I can also answer questions regarding this position.  Please Contact;

Jim Di Giovanna, President

Law Enforcement Aviation Consultants

P.O. Box 1805

Los Alamitos, CA 90720

jamesdg47@gmail.com 

714-615-2057

RCMP Pilot Killed In Crash Of Police Helicopter During Training Exercise

An RCMP AS350 Helicopter after crashing in the snow on takeoff. Photo: CTV News.A civilian RCMP helicopter pilot died Tuesday afternoon from injuries suffered in the crash of his AS350 turbine powered helicopter east of Vancouver.  Few details are available except to say that the crash occurred at the end of a training exercise with the Mounties Emergency Response Team, in the Cultus Lake area of Chilliwack.  The helicopter was apparently lifting off to return to base when it crashed in front of members of the Emergency Response Team, who immediately came to the pilot's aid.  The pilot was rushed to a hospital but did not survive.  Heavy snow and strong winds struck the Fraser Valley Tuesday morning but a spokesman for the RCMP declined to speculate if the crash was weather related.  The pilot was described by the RCMP as being very experienced, and as having worked for the RCMP as a pilot for a number of years.  

Texas Department of Public Safety Helicopter Helps Bust Cockfight

A Texas DPS patrol helicopter assisted the Bexar County Sheriff's Office in taking down an active cockfighting ring on Sunday.  The illegal cockfight, in southwest Bexar County had attracted over a hundred people who were watching and betting on the activity.  As the helicopter and deputies closed in, people fled in all directions.  Still, a total of 74 citations were issued, 26 vehicles were impounded, and $42,000 in cash was confiscated along with a number of roosters and fighting paraphernalia.  San Antonio is the largest city in Bexar County.

San Diego Police Helicopter Directs K9 Handler To ATM Thieves Hiding In Brush

The San Diego Police helicopter crew were in the process of putting their helicopter away early Sunday morning when deputies in the Spring Valley area called for assistance.  San Diego Sheriff's deputies out of the Lemon Grove station were in pursuit of a pick up truck with a stolen ATM in the back, and two parolees in the front.  A witness observed the thieves taking the ATM from a gas station on Campo Rd in Rancho San Diego.  A deputy spotted the vehicle as it fled the area, at times blacking out and driving the wrong way on State Route 54 near Bonita.  The two thieves abandoned their vehicle in the area of Route 54 and Route 125 and fled into a large open area.  As deputies set up a perimeter the San Diego Police helicopter arrived on scene and began to conduct a search of the open area with their FLIR camera.  The TFO quickly located both suspects hiding in brush, about 15 feet apart.  The tactical flight officer directed a Sheriff's K9 unit to the first suspect who refused to cooperate and was bitten.  The second suspect suffered the same fate just moments later.  Steven Seda, 40, of Lakeside, and James Silbernagel, 44, of El Cajon, were booked on several felony charges related to this incident.  Both have extensive criminal records.  

Australian Police Helicopter Crew Helps Nab Purse Snatcher

A helicopter and crew from the New South Wales Aviation Support Branch assisted ground units on Sydneys West side with the pursuit and apprehension of a prolific purse snatch- robbery suspect.  It all started Wednesday afternoon when a 20 year old man forcibly robbed two ladies of their handbags- one near Harris Park and another near Pendle Hill.  In both cases the suspect fled in a stolen vehicle.  Officers were able to intercept the vehicle which fled on South Wentworthville in an attempt to evade.  A lengthy foot pursuit followed when the suspect abandoned the stolen car at the end of a residential street and ran into several back yards.  A police dog team flushed the suspect out but he continued to resist officers by running across six lanes of the M4 motorway and six lanes of the Great Western Highway.  With the NSW police helicopter tracking the suspect from the air, officers eventually closed in and took him into custody.  The suspect was being held on three counts of robbery, car theft, and aggravated breaking and entering.  The New South Wales  Aviation Support Branch operates the following aircraft;  Two single-engine Eurocopter Squirrel helicopters, one twin-engine Eurocopter Squirrel, one twin-engine Kawasaki BK117 (rescue helicopter), one twin-engine Eurocopter EC135 helicopter and one single-engine Cessna 206 Stationair airplane.

Alachua County (FL) Sheriff's Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing

Photo- Candace Copeland, Gainesville Fl. Alachua Sheriff's OH-58 helicopter.An Alachua Sheriff's helicopter made an emergency landing on Thursday December 8th while on routine patrol in Gainesville Florida.  The helicopter crew, an Alachua Sheriff's pilot, and a Gainesville Police flight officer were in the process of checking a suspicious vehicle when the helicopter experienced mechanical difficulties.  The pilot was forced to immediately put the helicopter on the ground.  No one was injured during the incident but the helicopter did clip some trees as it settled to the ground near some movie theaters.  What is not known at this time is if the helicopter suffered engine failure, and if the emergency landing was an actual auto-rotational landing.  The Alachua County Sheriff's and Gainesville Police Joint Air Unit has two full time air crews and flies three military surplus OH-58 turbine engine helicopters on patrol.  No injuries were reported. 

Placer County Sheriff's Helicopter Crew Catches Night Time Base Jumper Off Foresthill Bridge

Placer County Sheriff AS350B3 helicopter. Photo- American EurocopterA Placer County Sheriff's Helicopter crew responded to California's tallest bridge last week regarding a report of a suicidal female preparing to jump.  What they found instead was a 39 year old base jumper Aaron McGovern preparing to parachute off the 730 foot high Foresthill Bridge (4th tallest in the U.S.) which spans the American River near Auburn California.  McGovern made the jump but the Sheriff's helicopter crew was able to track the subject with their spotlight all the way to the bottom of the American River Canyon.  Once on the ground McGovern attempted to elude the helicopter by hiding his parachute and fleeing down several trails.  He was eventually taken into custody by ground units.  Parachuting from the bridge is a misdemeanor crime.  Base Jumping is considered one of the worlds most dangerous recreational activities.  The Placer County Sheriff's Department flies an American Eurocopter AS350B3 helicopter on patrol

CHP Helicopter Lifts Suspect And Officers From Slough After Vehicle And Foot Pursuit

A CHP helicopter was called in to assist officers near Eureka California Tuesday afternoon after a lengthy vehicle and foot pursuit left the suspect and two law enforcement officers stuck in a slough, far from any roads.  It all started when a Eureka PD detective attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Jeep that had been driving erratically.  It turns out the Jeep was stolen and the driver was a wanted parolee at large.  The 28 year old parolee lead police on a 14 mile high speed chase traveling south bound on Highway 101.  Just south of Table Bluff the suspect left the highway and drove onto the beach where officers in patrol cars could not follow.  However, a warden with the California Department of Fish and Game had been monitoring the pursuit and was in the area.  The warden picked up a CHP officer and they continued the pursuit in the warden's 4x4 vehicle.  The vehicle pursuit soon turned into a foot pursuit through several small bodies of water in the area of Hawk Slough.  The law officer duo eventually caught up to the suspect hiding under a log.  A CHP helicopter from Redding California responded and lifted the men out one at a time.  It was unclear what method the helicopter crew used, and how the suspect was secure prior to being lifted out.  Many CHP helicopters are outfitted with external hoist for rescue operations.  

UK Police Helicopter Crew Spots Body From The Air

A Devon and Cornwall Police helicopter on routine patrol over the community of Ivybridge in Devon, spotted the body of a man near a set of railway tracks.  The crew spotted the body around 4:00 PM on Saturday near the area of Langham Levels.  There was no immediate indication as to the cause of death.  British Transportation Police were called in to investigate since the body was found in close proximity to the rail lines.   

Lorain County (OH) Deputy Shot; Cleveland Police Helicopter Locates Suspect With FLIR

A Lorain County Ohio deputy sheriff was shot Monday night by a man who had just shot his own dog and cat and barricaded himself in his house in Lagrange Township.  The 39 year old deputy had responded to the home along with his sergeant and 4 other deputies after the suspects mother placed a call to authorities.  During the ensuing standoff the suspect exited the house and engaged deputies in an exchange of gunfire.  The deputy was struck in an area near his left armpit, not covered by his ballistic vest.  He was transported to a hospital where he was recently upgraded from critical to fair condition.  The suspect fled the scene on foot kicking off a large scale manhunt as law officers from throughout the region flooded into the area.  The Cleveland Police Helicopter responded and began conducting a FLIR search of the surrounding terrain.  After about 20 minutes of searching the helicopter crew located the suspect in the middle of an open field off of state route 301, near the Harlan airfield.  The 42 year old suspect committed suicide as a SWAT team approached to take him into custody.  

LAPD Helicopter Makes Precautionary Landing At College

An LAPD helicopter made a precautionary landing around 2:00 PM Monday afternoon,  but the reasons for the landing were not immediately clear.  The Bell Jet Ranger helicopter, often used by the LAPD for initial pilot training, set down on the Pierce College football field in Woodland Hills California.  There were no injuries and not damage to the helicopter.