MENU
SEARCHIn a statement, Virginia State Police said the helicopter was "assisting public safety resources with the ongoing situation" before falling into a wooded area, in Albemarle County, where Charlottesville is located.
Lt. H. Jay Cullen served in the Virginia State Police Aviation Unit since 1999. (Photo: VSP)
Trooper Berke M.M. Bates joined the Aviation Unit in July. (Photo: VSP)
Two Virginia State Police officers were killed in a helicopter crash Saturday while responding to a domestic terror attack during a violent clash between white supremacists and counterprotestors in Charlottesville.
Pilot Lt. H. Jay Cullen, and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, died at the scene of the crash.
In a statement, Virginia State Police said the helicopter was "assisting public safety resources with the ongoing situation" before falling into a wooded area, in Albemarle County, where Charlottesville is located.
State police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board continue to investigate the cause of the crash, with "no indication of foul play being a factor."
Cullen, 48, graduated from the Virginia State Police Academy in 1994 as a member of the 90th Basic Session. He went on to join the Virginia State Police Aviation Unit in 1999. He's survived by his wife and two sons.
Fellow trooper Berke M.M. Bates of Quinton, Va., would have turned 41 years old Sunday. He joined the Aviation Unit, in July after serving as a special agent with the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
In 2004, he graduated from the state police academy as a member of the 107th Basic Session. Bates is survived by his wife, son, and daughter, NPR.org reports.
5.11 showcased new apparel and footwear products during SHOT Show 2026, including new color options for the A/T Boa Lite Mid Boot and the Founder’s Jacket.
Read More →
5.11 launched a variety of new load-bearing gear, ranging from backpacks to chest packs, designed for training, travel, and everyday readiness, this week during SHOT Show 2026.
Read More →
Streamlight launched the TLR-3X and TLR-3X USB, two new weapon lights, and an assortment of other new lights during SHOT Show 2026.
Read More →
Built on the proven Halen platform, the new EOTech x Fast Metal Halen Ballistic Spectacle System is the only aluminum frame listed on the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List.
Read More →
Two officers were shot in Gainesville, Florida, by a man who police say was leaving an area where he had killed a man inside a business. The suspect exited his vehicle in what the chief termed an “ambush-style” attack.
Read More →
An Ohio police department has received harassing phone calls and social media messages because it has an officer with the same name as the ICE officer identified in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, officer-involved shooting.
Read More →
What were the top videos published by POLICE in 2025? Many covered tactics and officer safety, while others came from booth visits at IACP in Denver, Colorado. In case you missed these, here are the top 10 videos.
Read More →
A new integration partnership will enable Flock Safety hotlist alerts and license plate recognition (LPR) searches directly in Coreforce’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) platform.
Read More →
Ballistic Armor Co. secured a new commitment that will accelerate its multi-year transition from a third-party tactical equipment retailer to a premium innovator and U.S. manufacturer of advanced protective systems.
Read More →
The US Police & Fire Championships is now open to all employees – sworn, civilian, administrative, technical, and support staff – who work directly for an eligible public safety agency.
Read More →