Though the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was one of the first responders on Monday, when the UH-60 Black Hawk crashed, we have remained silent. We have chosen to do so out of respect for the investigation, the United States Army and the friends and family of the victim and the other crew members.
This was not our story to tell.
Tuesday evening, the U.S. Army Military District of Washington released the names of those involved in the incident. At this time, we feel it is appropriate to send our deepest condolences to everyone who has been affected by the terrible tragedy which took place on April 17, when a UH-60 Black Hawk crashed during a routine training flight.
We send our deepest prayers to the family, friends and fellow soldiers of Spc. Jeremy Darrell Tomlin, of the 12th Aviation Battalion, who died during the aircraft crash. We are also keeping Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Nicholas, a pilot, and Capt. Terikazu Onoda, Charlie Company commander, in our prayers as well.
We wish to publicly recognize the acts of kindness and selflessness exhibited in the wake of the crash.
We praise our community members who reacted quickly and administered lifesaving efforts as soon as the crash occurred. These individuals selflessly ran to assist before police and Emergency Service Units arrived on scene. We are thinking of the community’s Fire and Rescue Personnel, in addition to our deputies – especially Corporal Kirkner – who arrived and helped to extricate the crew members from the crash. And to our deputies and detectives who worked tirelessly through the night to preserve and protect the scene.
The Sheriff’s Office thanks, those individuals who brought commodities to those at the scene, the Breton Bay Golf Course for their assistance and hospitality and Eddie Bailey for providing food and drink throughout the evening.
Finally, the entire Breton Bay Community has gone above and beyond to show their support and offer condolences to the 12th Aviation Battalion and the United States Army by hanging American flags on the poles leading to the crash site.
We are proud to be members of the community we serve as we all stand with the 12th Aviation Battalion.
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| The Breton Bay Community has gone above and beyond to show their support and offer condolences to the 12th Aviation Battalion and the United States Army by hanging American flags on the poles leading to the crash site. |
