Aviation Command - Fallen Heroes

Since the inception of Maryland State Police Aviation Command, there has been one airplane and four fatal helicopter crashes. These crashes have claimed the lives of nine State Troopers and one EMT. To honor the sacrifice that each has made, their photographs and stories are included below.

Name

Appointed

Final Flight

Age

Photo

Mickey C. Lippy

October 1, 2004

9/27/2008

Trooper First Class / Flight Paramedic Mickey C. Lippy was killed in a helicopter crash while performing a medical evacuation of two critically injured teenagers from Charles County, Maryland.

During the flight, the Eurocopter Dauphin helicopter encountered severe weather while en-route to the Prince George’s Hospital Center. The pilot, Stephen Bunker, diverted to Andrews Air Force Base to rendezvous with two ambulances to complete the transport of the patients. Shortly before midnight, the helicopter crashed several miles short of the runway in Walker Mill Regional Park.

Trooper First Class Lippy was 34 years of age and was appointed to the Maryland State Police on October 1, 2004. He served the Aviation Command as a Flight Paramedic since April 25, 2007. He is survived by his wife and infant daughter.

Stephen H. Bunker

November 30, 1972

9/27/2008

Pilot Stephen H. Bunker, a retired MSP Corporal, was killed in a helicopter crash while performing a medical evacuation of two critically injured teenagers from Charles County, Maryland.

During the flight, the Eurocopter Dauphin helicopter encountered severe weather while en-route to the Prince George’s Hospital Center. Pilot Bunker, diverted to Andrews Air Force Base to rendezvous with two ambulances to complete the transport of the patients. Shortly before midnight, the helicopter crashed several miles short of the runway in Walker Mill Regional Park.

Pilot Bunker was 59 years of age and was appointed to the Maryland State Police as Trooper on November 30, 1972. He retired as a Corporal in July 1998 and returned to the MSP Aviation Command as a civilian pilot. Pilot Bunker is survived by his wife and three children.

Tonya M. Mallard

9/27/2008

MSP Pilot Stephen H. Bunker, MSP Trooper First Class/Flight Paramedic Mickey C. Lippy and Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department Emergency Medical Technician Tonya M. Mallard were killed in a helicopter crash while performing a medical evacuation of two critically injured teenagers from Charles County, Maryland.

During the flight, the Eurocopter Dauphin helicopter encountered severe weather while en-route to Prince George's Hospital Center. Pilot Bunker diverted to Andrews Air Force Base to rendezvous with two ambulances to complete the transport of the patients. Shortly before midnight, the helicopter crashed several miles short of the runway.

A ground search was initiated and the wreckage was found in Walker Mill Regional Park. Pilot Bunker, Trooper First Class Lippy, Emergency Medical Technician Mallard and one of the patients were killed in the crash. The second patient survived the crash and was severely injured

Emergency Medical Technician Mallard was 39 years of age and joined the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department in 2004. She leaves behind her husband, two sons and the surviving members of Station 12 in Charles County, Maryland.

Carey S. Poetzman

February 11, 1980

1/19/1986

After completing a transport of a patient from Carroll County to the Shock Trauma Center, Poetzman was killed when the medevac equipped Bell Jet Ranger helicopter crashed in southwest Baltimore. Crashed off the 1200 block of North Hilton Parkway in a heavily wooded and elevated section of Leakin Park.

Gregory A. May

January 17, 1977

1/19/1986

After completing a transport of a patient from Carroll County to the Shock Trauma Center, May was killed when the med-evac equipped Bell Jet Ranger helicopter crashed in southwest Baltimore. Crashed off the 1200 block of North Hilton Parkway in a heavily wooded and elevated section of Leakin Park.

Charles S. Rathell

January 2, 1968

9/18/1973

While on traffic patrol in a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter, the craft crashed while the crewmen were attempting an emergency landing. The crash reportedly was caused by engine failure. Occurred in Beltsville near Muirkirk Road and U.S. RT 1.

Donald E. Parkerson, Jr.

July 5, 1971

9/18/1973

Phillip L. Russ

January 2, 1967

10/28/1972

While en route to Dorchester General Hospital in their med-evac equipped Bell Jet Ranger aircraft to accomplish a transport to the Maryland Trauma Center, the helicopter crashed. Indications were that the aircraft encountered heavy fog and the pilot was attempting to land when the crash occurred. Crash occurred in an empty field 1/4 mile east of Bennett's Paint Road near Queenstown; actually crashed on Perry Corner Road on a farm.

Thomas A. Noyle

January 6, 1969

10/28/1972

Arthur W. Plummer, Jr.

October 16, 1946

4/9/1961

Trooper First Class Plummer was killed in a plane crash while trying to locate an individual on Assateague Island. After locating the individual and attempting to take off, the plane crashed on the beach.

Maryland Department of State Police

Aviation Quick Links

Aviation Command - Fallen Heroes

​​Aviation Quick Links

Aviation Command - Fallen Heroes

Aviation Quick Links