Family and friends gathered on Thursday to say their goodbyes to an Atlanta Police Officer Richard Halford on Thursday, November 8, 2012 (Photo by Kaitlyn Pratt/myfoxatlanta)
Visitation held for APD officer killed in helicopter crashMore>>
Family and friends gathered on Thursday to say their goodbyes to an Atlanta police officer who was killed this weekend. Officers Richard Halford and Shawn Smiley died Saturday night when their helicopter crashed in southwest Atlanta.
Halford and Smiley were the first APD officers killed in a helicopter crash. They were searching for a missing 9-year-old boy when the chopper hit a pole and crashed in northwest Atlanta.
Halford, 48, was the department's most experienced pilot. He was assigned to the air unit for 16 years and served with the department for 26 years.
"He was one of the best pilots that they ever had and probably ever will have," said Glenn Ross, a former colleague.
Friends say Halford commanded respect and admiration.
"I've known him for 20 years or so. Outstanding gentleman. Role model, said Calvin McDonald.
Halford loved his job and touched many professionally and personally over his 26-year career, according to his friends.
"He gave me my first pilot's book…so from that point on, I became a pilot because I wanted to emulate, I wanted to be like him," said Mark Veazey.
The officer's sacrifice brought strangers to pay tribute Thursday night.
"My heart immediately started to moan because that could have been one of my grandchildren that left and they put their lives on the line for him," said Priscilla Peters.
Colleagues said they would always remember Halford.
"I'm going to take a part of him with me. He's going to be with me in that helicopter. I know he's an angel looking down from heaven. That's a blessing, knowing that I've got a friend that's an angel," said Veazey.
His funeral will be held Friday at the same church at 11 a.m.
Saturday, May 18 2013 4:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 20:53:02 GMT
Security will be tight and traffic will be messy around the Morehouse College campus on Sunday. President Barack Obama will address graduates at the college's commencement ceremony.
Security will be tight and traffic will be messy around the Morehouse College campus on Sunday. President Barack Obama will address graduates at the college's commencement ceremony.
Saturday, May 18 2013 3:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 19:44:49 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
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State officials are reminding drivers the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign is set to begin and could translate to fines for drivers and passengers who aren't wearing seatbelts.
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Friday, May 17 2013 11:59 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:59:14 GMT
Who wants to a millionaire? How about 600 times over?
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Saturday, May 18 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:30:45 GMT
Nassau County police have identified the career criminal who allegedly shot and killed a Hofstra University student in a home invasion robbery early Friday morning.
Nassau County police have identified the career criminal who allegedly shot and killed a Hofstra University student in a home invasion robbery early Friday morning.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:52:45 GMT
A large crowd of supporters in the Bronx joined the parents of a slain teen to protest a judge's ruling Saturday. Constance Malcolm and Francelot Graham whose son Ramarley was killed back in February
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Saturday, May 18 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:11:43 GMT
Police says a gay man was shot and killed in Greenwich Village after a man with a gun shouted homophobic slurs at him early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim was shot
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Saturday, May 18 2013 4:03 PM EDT2013-05-18 20:03:41 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
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Saturday, May 18 2013 7:49 AM EDT2013-05-18 11:49:20 GMT
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:12:56 GMT
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
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Friday, May 17 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:53:52 GMT
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
Family and friends gathered on Thursday to say their goodbyes to an Atlanta Police Officer Richard Halford on Thursday, November 8, 2012 (Photo by Kaitlyn Pratt/myfoxatlanta)
