Riverdale Police Chief Samuel Patterson, who was once an Atlanta officer, was in a helicopter accident back in 1994.
"I was in the helicopter by myself back in January of 1994 and the aircraft lost power, the engine quit and I had to auto-rotate to the ground at Westview Cemetery and was able to almost walk away," Patterson said.
Patterson said that the accident left him with some physical injuries and a respect for the machine he once piloted.
"I broke the L4 vertebra in my back and was able to crawl away from the helicopter and fortunately it didn't catch on fire," said Patterson.
As grateful as Patterson is that he survived his crash nearly 20 years ago, his heart was heavy with the news that his former colleague, Officer Richard Halford, died in the weekend tragedy along with Officer Shawn Smiley. Patterson said that he helped train Halford.
"That was very difficult for me to accept knowing the fact that Richard was a dedicated pilot, a dedicated police officer and a true asset to the Atlanta Police Department," said Patterson.
The mission the officers were on -- looking for a missing child - is typical of what Patterson says the chopper is often used for. He said the helicopter is usually at least 500 feet from the ground, but said that they will go lower depending on the task.
"There were lots of opportunities where we had to fly that helicopter in lower altitude than we would normally fly it at because we were looking for a small child and that may have contributed to the accident that Officer Halford and Officer Smiley were involved in," said Patterson. "It will probably be one of those unfortunate accidents, a risk that we take when we fly that helicopter."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:44:53 GMT
Parents are asking about the safety of the schools in the event of a tornado after the devastation suffered in Moore, Okla.
Parents are asking about the safety of the schools in the event of a tornado after the devastation suffered in Moore, Okla. School and emergency officials insist having kids sheltered in school buildings rather than being picked up is the best solution.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:24 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:24:51 GMT
Southern Baptists in metro Atlanta are doing their part to assist victims of Tuesday's violent twisters.
Southern Baptists in metro Atlanta are doing their part to assist victims of Tuesday's violent twisters.The North American Mission Board has volunteers on the ground in Oklahoma and more relief is on the
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:04:30 GMT
A Douglasville family is asking for help to try to find their missing daughter. Jacqueline Bryant, 15, was last seen on April 12 and now she's the subject of a nationwide alert.
A Douglasville family is asking for help to try to find their missing daughter. Jacqueline Bryant, 15, was last seen on April 12 and now she's the subject of a nationwide alert.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:35 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:35:07 GMT
Tea party groups and Georgia Republican leaders are gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service.
Tea party groups and Georgia Republican leaders are gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:27 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:27:44 GMT
Andrea Sneiderman was back in court Tuesday to be arraigned for a third time. She's accused of conspiring with her former boss, Hemy Neuman, to kill her husband, Rusty Sneiderman, in 2010. Rusty Sneiderman
Andrea Sneiderman was back in court Tuesday to be arraigned for a third time. She's accused of conspiring with her former boss, Hemy Neuman, to kill her husband, Rusty Sneiderman, in 2010.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:52 GMT
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:25:20 GMT
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:21:42 GMT
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:15:24 GMT
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers. Edwin Vargas was arrested Tuesday outside his home in Bronxville.
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:33:20 GMT
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:53 GMT
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
Riverdale Police Chief Samuel Patterson, who was once an Atlanta officer, was in a helicopter accident back in 1994.
