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Helicopter crash #Charlottesvillepic.twitter.com/e9rER6yaMT

— Simon Rader (@Simon_Rader) August 12, 2017

Two Virginia State Police Officers were killed when their helicopter crashed near the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville Saturday.

The chopper had been monitoring the violent demonstration.

The officers were identified as Lt. H. Jay Cullen, 48, and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, who would have turned 41 Sunday. Cullen is survived by a wife and two sons; Bates by a wife and daughter.

President Trump tweeted, “Deepest condolences to the families & fellow officers of the VA State Police who died today. You’re all among the best this nation produces.’’

No one on the ground was injured.

The chopper crashed in a wooded area near a golf course shortly before 5 p.m. about seven miles from the protest.

The cause is under investigation by the National Transportation Board as well as the State Police, which said there was no indication of foul play.

 

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