Los Angeles Police Department, California
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 30, 1966
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: 3490
Cause of Death: Aircraft accident
Date of Incident: August 30, 1966
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Policeman Alex Ilnicki and Policeman Lawrence Amberg were killed when their police helicopter crashed.
On August 30, 1966, Policeman Lawrence Amberg, Observer, was working Air 1 with his partner, Policeman Alex Ilnicki, Pilot. Air 1 had departed the Department's heliport located in Glendale for a regularly scheduled patrol for the purpose of observing traffic conditions on freeways.
While Air 1 was flying in the vicinity of Dodger Stadium, a media helicopter was also in the area reporting on freeway traffic conditions. Air 1 and the media helicopter collided, resulting in the deaths of both officers and the occupants of the media helicopter.
Policeman Ilnicki had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 20 years.