2 Killed When Police Helicopter Crashes While Responding To Charlottesville Riot

Carla Herreria
Updated
A Virginia law enforcement officer cries near the site of a state police helicopter crash, which killed two state troopers. (Photo: Shelly Cousino / The Daily Progress)
A Virginia law enforcement officer cries near the site of a state police helicopter crash, which killed two state troopers. (Photo: Shelly Cousino / The Daily Progress)

Two Virginia state troopers were killed when a state police helicopter crashed in Albemarle County, Virginia, on Saturday.

The pilot, Lt. H. Jay Cullen, 48, and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, who would have turned 41 the following day, died at the scene, Virginia state police said in an official statement.

The crash occurred near a residence on Old Farm Road by Birdwood Golf Course, about seven miles from the site of a violent white supremacy rally in downtown Charlottesville where at least one demonstrator was killed.

The helicopter, a Bell 407, was assisting with public safety resource efforts for the riot in Charlottesville, police said.

State police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the helicopter crash. No one on the ground was reported to be injured.

“Our state police and law enforcement family at-large are mourning this tragic outcome to an already challenging day,” Virginia State Police superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty said. “Their deaths are a tremendous loss to our agency and the Commonwealth.”

Hours after the crash, President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences to the “families & fellow officers of the VA State Police who died today.”

Virginia’s governor and Charlottesville’s city manager mentioned the two fatalities during a press conference about Saturday’s riots, but did not provide any details about the helicopter crash.

“Today was a very sad day for our great commonwealth, the city of Charlottesville,” Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) said. “We know now that there were three fatalities today, in addition to many individuals that have been hurt.”

“Hate came to our town today,” city manager Maurice Jones said during the conference. “Unfortunately, as we went through this day, we had folks who came here and caused mayhem, chaos and mischief and it resulted in three fatalities here in the city of Charlottesville.”

In a statement published late Saturday night, McAuliff and Virginia’s first lady Dorothy McAuliffe called Cullen and Bates “close friends” and said the deaths were a “devastating loss.”

“These heroes were part of our family and we are simply heartbroken,” they said in a joint statement.

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Neo-Nazis and white supremacists encircle and chant at counter-protesters at the base of a Thomas Jefferson statue on Aug. 11, 2017, after marching with torches through the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Neo-Nazis and white supremacists encircle and chant at counter-protesters at the base of a Thomas Jefferson statue on Aug. 11, 2017, after marching with torches through the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Neo-Nazis and white supremacists take part in the "Unite the Right" rally.
Neo-Nazis and white supremacists take part in the "Unite the Right" rally.
The group marched through the University of Virginia campus with torches.
The group marched through the University of Virginia campus with torches.
A man wears Nazi regalia before the "Unite the Right" rally.
A man wears Nazi regalia before the "Unite the Right" rally.
Counter-protesters arrive at the "Unite the Right" rally.
Counter-protesters arrive at the "Unite the Right" rally.
White supremacists carry Nazi flags on Aug. 12, 2017.
White supremacists carry Nazi flags on Aug. 12, 2017.
A white supremacist carries the Confederate flag as he walks past counter-demonstrators.
A white supremacist carries the Confederate flag as he walks past counter-demonstrators.
White nationalists march through the street.
White nationalists march through the street.
A sign on a business in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia.
A sign on a business in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia.
Police arrive at the scene of protests after a state of emergency is announced in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Police arrive at the scene of protests after a state of emergency is announced in Charlottesville, Virginia.
A man is down during a clash between white nationalist protesters and a group of counter-protesters.
A man is down during a clash between white nationalist protesters and a group of counter-protesters.
White nationalists and counter-protesters clash.
White nationalists and counter-protesters clash.
A protester receives first-aid during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.
A protester receives first-aid during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.
A man makes a slashing motion across his throat toward counter-protesters as he marches with other white nationalists and neo-Nazis during the "Unite the Right" rally.
A man makes a slashing motion across his throat toward counter-protesters as he marches with other white nationalists and neo-Nazis during the "Unite the Right" rally.
A white supremacist stands behind militia members after he scuffled with a counter-demonstrator.
A white supremacist stands behind militia members after he scuffled with a counter-demonstrator.
Virginia State Police use pepper spray as they move in during a clash between white nationalist protesters and counter-protesters.
Virginia State Police use pepper spray as they move in during a clash between white nationalist protesters and counter-protesters.
Hundreds of white nationalists and neo-Nazis march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally.
Hundreds of white nationalists and neo-Nazis march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally.
A smoke bomb is thrown at a group of counter-protesters.
A smoke bomb is thrown at a group of counter-protesters.
Virginia State Troopers stand under a statue of Robert E. Lee. White nationalists descended on Charlottesville to protest the statue's removal.
Virginia State Troopers stand under a statue of Robert E. Lee. White nationalists descended on Charlottesville to protest the statue's removal.
Anti-fascist counter-protesters wait outside Lee Park to hurl insults as white nationalists and neo-Nazis are forced out after the "Unite the Right" rally was declared an unlawful gathering.
Anti-fascist counter-protesters wait outside Lee Park to hurl insults as white nationalists and neo-Nazis are forced out after the "Unite the Right" rally was declared an unlawful gathering.
A group of counter-protesters rally against white nationalists.
A group of counter-protesters rally against white nationalists.
A man is seen with an injury during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.
A man is seen with an injury during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.
Protesters and counter-protesters after being pepper-sprayed and/or maced.
Protesters and counter-protesters after being pepper-sprayed and/or maced.
David Duke (C), participates in the white nationalist rally.
David Duke (C), participates in the white nationalist rally.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.