Fw: Beaumont Police Officer Dies in Sabine Lake Helicopter Crash; Sheriff's Officer Survives

[Guest guest]

Beaumont Police Officer Dies in Sabine Lake Helicopter Crash; Sheriff's

Officer Survives

BPD SGT Mike Lane, 54 y/o Died, the JCSO Deputy is Jeramy Batonfield

News Alert: Beaumont Police Officer Dies in Sabine Lake Helicopter Crash;

Sheriff's Officer Survives

Reported by Lawrence

September 16, 2004 - 2:51AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(KFDM picture of helicopter that crashed Wednesday night. Helicopter was

used by Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and Beaumont Police Department.

Picture taken for news story on August 26, 2004.)

Port Arthur Assistant Police Chief Mark Blanton tells KFDM News a Beaumont

police officer died and a sheriff's officer swam to safety when their helicopter

crashed late Wednesday night in Sabine Lake.

Blanton says they were checking out a report of some type of fire in the

lake, when their helicopter went down.

It was thought the fire might be a burning boat, but Blanton says it

turned out to be a trash fire.

He says the officers were sent in their helicopter to check out the fire

to make sure no one was hurt and needed help.

Blanton says the crew was last heard from at 10:37 p.m. Wednesday, and he

believes that's when the helicopter crashed.

When officers on the ground couldn't make contact with the chopper crew,

they contacted the Coast Guard.

A Coast Guard helicopter, another Sheriff's Department chopper and a

helicopter from Goldstar Angel Flight began searching Sabine Lake.

The Sheriff's Department launched a boat, as did the Coast Guard, Texas

Parks and Wildlife and Bridge City Fire and Rescue.

Assistant Chief Blanton says a helicopter search crew spotted the wreckage

of the law enforcement helicopter at 2 a.m. Thursday in about 6 feet of water in

Sabine Lake, several miles from the Veteran's Memorial Bridge.

Blanton says the police officer's body was found beneath the helicopter

that crashed.

A Bridge City Dive Team recovered the officer's body.

Blanton says the sheriff's officer was spotted swimming in Sabine Lake,

and he was taken to Mid Jefferson Hospital.

Blanton says the sheriff's officer is in good condition.

Investigators are not yet releasing the officers' names.

Blanton says there is no indication of a distress signal before the

helicopter crew last made contact with officers on the ground.

Investigators say their hearts go out to the family of the Beaumont police

officer.

The last Beaumont officer to die in the line of duty was Conrad Gernale.

He was murdered in September of 2002.

KFDM reporter Angel San and several news crews are at the scene.

Watch our 5:30 a.m. newscast on KFDM for the very latest.

[Guest guest]

Our prayers go out to the family, friends and coworkers of Sgt. Lane, and

for the quick return to health and duty for Deputy Batonfield.

Barry E. McClung, Paramedic/Crew Chief

North Blanco County EMS

City, Texas

[Guest guest]

Our prayers go out to the family, friends and coworkers of Sgt. Lane, and

for the quick return to health and duty for Deputy Batonfield.

Barry E. McClung, Paramedic/Crew Chief

North Blanco County EMS

City, Texas