Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri
End of Watch: Monday, May 17, 1999
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: 873
Cause of Death: Aircraft accident
Date of Incident: May 17, 1999
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Sergeant David May was killed in a police helicopter crash while following the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. Witnesses stated that the tail rotor on the chopper stopped turning, causing him to lose control of the helicopter, which went into a spin and crashed.
The passenger in the helicopter, a Special Olympics photographer, was also killed.
Sergeant May had served with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for 18 years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. He had been a pilot for the Missouri State Highway Patrol since 1990.