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News
Release DEA Mourns One of Our Own
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed today that a DEA Cessna 206 H aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, killing one DEA Special Agent. At approximately 1:23 p.m. CDT, the aircraft departed Midway Airport traveling south/southwest en-route to Missouri on a drug mission. At approximately 1:31 p.m., the pilot radioed the Midway control tower and reported engine failure, and shortly thereafter, the aircraft disappeared from radar. The aircraft crashed into a detached garage in Homer Glen, Illinois. No one on the ground was injured. The DEA pilot was hired on as a Special Agent in September of 1989 and became a member of the DEA Airwing in 1999. He was an experienced pilot from the Chicago area, married and had three young children. The aircraft was being returned to St. Louis at the time of the accident where it was stationed. The NTSB and the FAA are at the scene and will be conducting an investigation. “We are shocked and saddened at the loss of one of our DEA family members on the eve of Memorial Day weekend when the nation stops to honor those who have given their life in service of their country,” said DEA Administrator Karen P. Tandy. “This brave Special Agent worked every day to ensure that our schools and neighborhoods were protected from the scourge of drugs. We are grateful for his service and will continue to be led by his dedicated example. Our heartfelt prayers and deepest sympathies go out to the family members of our fallen DEA comrade.” "The Aviation Division is greatly saddened by the loss of one of our Special Agent/Pilots. As agents and pilots, we realize that what we do daily is inherently dangerous, but are aggrieved when one of our own loses his life in the line of duty. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time," said William C. Brown, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Airwing. ###
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