Lieutenant Pilot Henry John "Jay" Cullen, III, Virginia State Police, Virginia

Lieutenant Pilot Henry John "Jay" Cullen, III

Virginia State Police, Virginia

End of Watch Saturday, August 12, 2017

Henry John "Jay" Cullen, III

Lieutenant Pilot Jay Cullen and Trooper Pilot Berke Bates were killed when their Bell 407 helicopter crashed into a wooded area in a residential neighborhood on Old Farm Road in Albemarle County, Virginia.

They were in the area to monitor civil unrest that was occurring in Charlottesville, Virginia, during a large protest. The helicopter had just taken off to monitor the Virginia governor's motorcade after he arrived in the area to assess the situation. The helicopter experienced some sort of issue before crashing into the trees and becoming engulfed in flames.

Trooper Bates and Lieutenant Cullen were killed in the crash.

Lieutenant Cullen had served with the Virginia State Police for 23 years and was assigned as the commander of the Aviation Unit. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Bio

Age 48
Tour 23 years
Badge 71

Incident Details

Cause Aircraft accident

civil unrest

Most Recent Reflection

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Today I was given Lieutenant Pilot Henry John Cullen’s III name to wear his name in honor of National police week. EOW 8/12/17. Im a 911 Emeregency communications specialist for the Lakeland Police Department. Over 18 years of service continue. It’s my honor to recognize you sir and honor you and your family. Thank you for your service. I pray you are with my father in Heaven ... perhaps fishing.

Angela Cloud Zorn ECS2
Lakeland Police Department

May 13, 2018