2 members of Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crew killed in crash

PHOENIX — Two members of an Arizona Department of Public safety helicopter crew were killed in a crash Wednesday night while responding to assist an active shooter incident in the Flagstaff area, authorities said.

The Bell 407 helicopter crashed near Flagstaff about 10:15 p.m. and there was a fire afterward, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of two @Arizona_DPS heroes who were killed late last night in a helicopter crash. Please keep their families in your thoughts and prayers.#AZTroopers #LODD pic.twitter.com/xS7xTWEaJq

— Arizona Trooper’s FOP Lodge 32 (@AZ_FOP_32) February 5, 2026

The pilot and a state trooper who is a paramedic died in the crash, DPS said.

“My heart is heavy after the tragic Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crash in Flagstaff that took the lives of two dedicated crew members while assisting officers. Their bravery will never be forgotten. We stand with their families, loved ones, and DPS colleagues,” Gov. Katie Hobbs said in a statement.

The names of helicopter crew members have not been released, but the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 32 released background information about them on Thursday.

The trooper/paramedic joined DPS as a sworn officer in June 2022, while the helicopter pilot was hired in May 2021. The pilot previously served 10 years in the Marines and played a critical support role for DPS.

“This is a devastating moment for the DPS family, the FOP and our state’s law enforcement community,” Michael Hunt, president of FOP Lodge 32, said in a press release. “Our fallen trooper served with honor and courage, answering the call to protect others. Both the paramedic and the pilot, a military veteran, made the ultimate sacrifice while supporting the mission. Their loss is profound, and our hearts are with their families, friends and colleagues.”

Why was DPS helicopter helping Flagstaff police?

The incident began with a domestic violence call around 8:30 p.m., Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly said during a news conference Thursday.

A man armed with a long rifle opened fire on responding officers and the victim in a neighborhood north of Route 66 between Mark Lane and Thompson Road. The suspect fired and moved across rooftops in the area for nearly two hours, Connolly said.

The helicopter was helping officers on the ground by providing an aerial view.

The man was struck by gunfire and taken into custody around the time the helicopter crashed, Connolly said. He suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds.

Connolly did not provide information about how the helicopter crashed.

“Our city and our state have experienced a significant loss. We are part of this community. This neighborhood was under siege last night,” he said.

DPS is investigating the police shooting and working with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board on the crash investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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