'Dedicated' Tenn. Trooper and Sheriff's Deputy Killed After Helicopter Struck Power Line and Crashed

Mar. 15, 2025

Tennessee Highway Patrol Sergeant Lee Russell.Photo: West Tennessee Drug Task Force

A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper and a local sheriff’s deputy were killed Tuesday when their helicopter crashed, according to authorities.

The helicopter was en route to an undisclosed destination when the wreck occurred according to an FAA database.

The crash occurred “under unknown circumstances” and has been deemed an accident, per the agency.

Sergeant Lee Russell of the Tennessee Highway Patrol has been identified as one of the victims killed in Tuesday’s incident, according to a Facebook post from theScott County Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff’s deputy, whose name has not been publicly released, was from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

The officers were “serving the citizens of the State of Tennessee” when the “terrible” crash occurred, per the SCSD.

West Tennessee Drug Task Force

“God bless these dedicated law enforcement officers and their families during this unimaginable time,” the department wrote.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol and MCSO did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

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TheHardin County Sheriff’s Departmentand theWest Tennessee Drug Task Forcealso mourned Russell’s death in their own social media tributes.

The task force said Russell “loved Tennessee,” while the HSCO shared that the officer “provided vital assistance to our department on numerous occasions.”

“As many are aware, Trooper Russell provided vital assistance to our department on numerous occasions,” the HSCO wrote. “The safety of the people of Hardin County was protected, in part, because of Trooper Lee’s service.”

The aircraft involved in Tuesday’s crash is registered to the Tennessee Department of Safety in Nashville, according to the FAA’s registry.

The FAA will investigate the crash alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which “will be in charge” and “provide additional updates” moving forward, per the agency’s statement.

source: people.com