Deputy Sheriff Mark Steven Tonkin

Mark Steven Tonkin

Deputy Mark Tonkin was killed in a helicopter accident while working on a multi-agency narcotics task force. A car was spotted in a canyon and the helicopter began to descend when its rotor blades struck power lines and caused it to crash.

Also killed in the accident were Investigator Michael Davis of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Deputy Roy Chester of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Sergeant Richard Romero of the Imperial County Sheriff's Department, and Deputy James McSweeney of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the three California National Guard crew members operating the flight.