BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Two Baton Rouge police officers died Sunday when their helicopter crashed into a sugarcane field, Louisiana authorities said.
Baton Rouge Police Officers, Sgt. David Poirrier, 47, and Cpl. Scotty Canezaro, 38, died in the Port Allen area crash. Both officers were assisting uniformed officers in a vehicle pursuit when the helicopter crashed.
Sgt. David Poirrier is a 17-year BRPD Veteran who was currently assigned to the Air Support Unit.
Cpl. Scotty Canezaro is a 16-year BRPD Veteran who was currently assigned to the Air Support Unit.
Flags have been lowered to half-staff to honor the life and legacy of both officers at Baton Rouge Police Department’s Headquarters.
The Robinson R-44 helicopter went out at 2 a.m. to help with a pursuit and never returned, local media reported. The aircraft's disappearance wasn't noticed for several hours, when a search was launched. The wreckage was found before 11 a.m.
“On behalf of the City of Baton Rouge, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of the BRPD officers who tragically lost their lives,” Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said on Twitter.
Baton Rouge police officials did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating the crash.
