Topeka Police Department, Kansas
End of Watch: Tuesday, June 13, 2000
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: 262
Cause of Death: Aircraft accident
Date of Incident: June 13, 2000
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer Howey and Officer Joseph Bohlender were killed when their helicopter crashed while they were assisting ground officers during a burglary alarm at the Lowe's Home Improvement store, in west Topeka, shortly after midnight.
As the ground officers were inside searching the building, Officer Bohlender, the flight observer, and Officer Howey were circling overhead when the helicopter suddenly went into a spiral and crashed into an adjacent field, bursting into flames. The helicopter, a 1994 Schweizer 300 C, had approximately 5,600 hours of flying time.
The call was later determined to be a false alarm.
Officer Howey had served with the Topeka Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.