BATON ROUGE, La. — Two Baton Rouge Police Department pilots were killed when their police helicopter crashed in a cane field in West Baton Rouge Parish Sunday morning.
On Monday, authorities identified the officers as Sgt. Scotty Canezaro and Cpl. David Poirrier, according to our partners at WBRZ.
Authorities reported the crash around 11:30 a.m. and say it happened near North Winterville Road, and U.S. 190.
FAA flight data reveals the helicopter took off from Baton Rouge Metro airport at 2:26 a.m. and crashed three miles away about 12 minutes later, according to WBRZ.
State Police, BRPD, and the WBR Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene, along with the Baton Rouge Coroner's Office.
Dozens of first responders also showed up to the scene of the crash to pay their respects to the officer.
At a press conference Sunday, Sgt. Landon Groger with the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office delivered a message of heartache.
“There was a law enforcement crash located here in Erwinville, Louisiana the reason is still under investigation by the FAA,” he said.
“We are asking the community to lift our officers up in prayer, to lift the two family members of the two heroes we lost today, to lift those families up in prayer," Baton Rouge Police Chief, Murphy Paul said during a press conference.
Sources told our partners at WBRZ that the officers in the helicopter were pursuing a car running from police when the crash happened.
The Wheelers who live nearby say they were going about their usual Sunday activities when tragedy struck.
“We went to church this morning and upon arriving back from church we were out here on the porch and we saw all the police activity turning in off the highway,” Lawanda Wheeler told Eyewitness News.
She said her two sons have both spent time in law enforcement, so this hits close to home for them.
“We were shocked, utterly shocked… this little small community is really quiet, laid back, not a whole lot of traffic… just learning of officers that were working and now won’t make it home,” Wheeler said.
“It's very emotional it's almost indescribable at a time when we have to keep the tears off our face and do what we have to do to bring justice to the family, closure to the family, be supportive of everyone, but deep down inside its absolutely devastating,” Sgt. Groger said.
Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome released a statement on Twitter Sunday afternoon saying:
On behalf of the City of Baton Rouge, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of the BRPD officers who tragically lost their lives today in a helicopter crash.
These officers served our community with distinction and bravery, and we will forever be grateful for their service and sacrifice.
We are working closely with the Baton Rouge Police Department to offer support for their investigation into the cause of this tragedy and to provide support to the families and colleagues of the fallen officers.
We ask the community keep the families of the fallen officers in their thoughts and prayers, and we express our heartfelt gratitude to all of the first responder agencies who have been working tirelessly to support our city during this difficult time.
NOPD superintendent Michelle Woodfork also released a statement on Sunday commenting on the tragic event:
On behalf of men and women of the New Orleans Police Department, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families and colleagues of the Baton Rouge Police Department officers who tragically lost their lives today in the line of duty.
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