Sergeant Erin Marie Hehl

Erin Marie Hehl

Trooper Erin Hehl was killed when the helicopter she was in crashed during a training exercise.

Trooper Hehl was flying with a civilian pilot at suburban Frankfort Airport in the department's helicopter known as AirOne. They were practicing touch-and-go landings when one of the skids of the A-Star Eurocopter got stuck in the mud, causing the helicopter to flip over. The civilian pilot was killed as well. Trooper Hehl had 70 hours of flight experience, but it is unknown who was at the controls at the time of the crash.

Trooper Hehl had served with the Illinois State Police for 11 years. Trooper Hehl is survived by her husband, son, and stepson.

She was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant.