South Walton Fire District dedicated a new memorial at Thomas Pilcher Park to honor the three AirHeart 1 crew members killed in a 2004 helicopter crash.
Family members, including Chris Chase—now a firefighter like his father—joined county commissioners and fire officials to reflect on the legacy of the fallen heroes.
The memorial stands at the original rescue command post site and will serve as a vital part of training and historical remembrance for future firefighters.The
As the ‘bagpiper’ played Amazing Grace at the waters edge of the Choctawhatchee Bay, the honor guard from the South Walton Fire District stood at attention to remember the three Walton County’s brave AirHeart 1 transport team that gave the ultimate gift on October 20, 2004. Fire Chief and Administrator, Ryan Crawford, was the primary speaker for the dedication of the “Heroes Remembered” monument that stands at the Bay’s water’s edge at Thomas Pilcher Park. The park is a hidden gem for the county, and is the location of a beautiful pier that is nestled just under the northbound entrance of the 331 Bridge.
There is also great significance in this memorial location for the AirHeart 1 crew. Over the past 21 years, the South Walton Fire District has paid tribute to the AirHeart 1 heroes (Jack Chase, Flight Nurse, Tom Palcic, Pilot, and Robert Heighton, Paramedic and Fire Fighter) who lost their lives in the line of duty. At the very point where the memorial stands, the rescue and recovery command post worked tirelessly to honor the heroes, who gave “their all” in an attempt to transport a critically ill patient from Santa Rosa Beach to Pensacola for urgent care. The helicopter carrying the AirHeart 1 Team experienced severe weather conditions, and the pilot decided to return to base due to very difficult flying conditions. The mission that initiated the rush to assist and transport someone in need resulted in significant and unimaginable loss for the family and friends of these amazing men.
Jack Chase, the Flight Nurse on AirHeart 1, was the father of Chris Chase, who at the time of his father’s death was 19. Dressed today in his own firefighter jacket and with a large pin on his chest holding his dad’s photo with a byline that reads: “Blue Skies Always.” Chris Chase (son of the fallen hero), a firefighter and paramedic at the South Walton Fire District, expressed profound appreciation for the man his dad was. Chase said, “This is the 21st anniversary of the crash. We feel very fortunate that Walton County blessed us with this monument.” When asked about walking in his father’s footsteps, Chase said, “My dad was a big inspiration, as was his department in their response to this incident. I was a civilian at the time (when that happened), so I’m very happy to now continue to share that with the new generations that come after me.
Chase continued to offer thanks to those who continue to risk everything for the opportunity to care for and serve others. He added, “My dad did a lot to help other people. He was selfless. He always chose careers that helped others.”
Fire Chief Crawford spoke about the origin of AirHeart 1 and said, “Twenty-one years ago, we used to operate [emergency transport] through a joint venture, a medical helicopter service, regionally through all of Northwest Florida, Georgia, and Alabama…It was a joint venture between the South Walton Fire District, Sacred Heart Hospital, and Metro Aviation…Tragically, back in 2004, late in the evening, on an inter-facility transfer for a patient that was up at Healthmark… They [AirHeart 1] ran into weather, and they made the correct decision to abort the flight, and then, tragically, never made it back to base down here in South Walton, crashing into the bay behind me here. And so this location has relevance for us [South Walton Fire] because it is the site where we created the command post, post-accident.
Crawford stressed that this is an important event that has forever impacted the view of what sacrifice can be in the line of duty. He discussed that the sight of the memorial for the three heroes is an essential part of department training. Crawford told Mid Bay News, “So every year we bring men and women down here to make sure that they know their stories – the story of what happened here [on October 4, 2004].”
Times change, and Crawford said that the workforce changes, “so we feel that it is critically important to make sure they [department men and women] know the stories of these three men.”
Crawford expressed gratitude to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and the South Walton Fire Department Board (with its seven Commissioners) for working together to make this important memorial a reality. The monument is a gift from the Board of County Commissioners and the South Walton Fire District.
Family and friends, along with Board of County Commissioners Donna Johns and Danny Glidewell, attended this important tribute. The view from the monument is incredible and a lasting thank you to Jack Chase, Tom Palcic, and Robert Heighton.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
Register or login with Mid Bay News and never get another pop up on our site!
