FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A tragic helicopter crash in Flagstaff during a police operation has claimed the lives of two members of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Identified as 28-year-old Trooper Paramedic Hunter Bennett and 61-year-old Pilot Aviation Supervisor Robert Skankey, both men were on duty responding to a violent suspect confrontation when their aircraft went down.
Bennett began his career with the Department of Public Safety as a cadet in 2022, transitioned to highway patrol in 2023, and was promoted to the aviation unit in 2024. Skankey, a veteran who served in the Marine Corps for over two decades, joined the DPS in 2021, rising to the position of aviation supervisor just three years later. The loss is felt deeply across law enforcement and in the communities they served.
The tragedy unfolded when law enforcement officers were called to a domestic violence incident at approximately 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. As officers engaged with the victim outside a residence, the suspect, identified as 50-year-old Terrell Storey, opened fire from the rear of the building with a semiautomatic rifle. Police Chief Sean Connolly described the scene as chaotic, with Storey reportedly maneuvering across rooftops while engaging police in a protracted gunfight.
While no gunfire was reported from the downed helicopter, details surrounding the cause of the crash remain under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Authorities confirmed that the aircraft was not outdated and had undergone inspection less than a week prior to the incident.
Following the tragic event, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags at state buildings to be lowered to half-staff in memory of Bennett and Skankey. In a statement, she expressed her condolences, emphasizing the bravery and dedication of the two public safety officers. “Arizona owes immense gratitude to DPS State Trooper-Paramedic Hunter R. Bennett and DPS Pilot Air Rescue Aviation Supervisor Robert B. Skankey, whom we tragically lost this week,” she said.
After the crash, Storey was taken into custody and treated for nonfatal gunshot wounds before being transferred to a hospital. Upon release, he faces serious charges, including two counts of first-degree murder and multiple counts of aggravated assault against law enforcement.
Coconino County jail will process Storey, who is also facing charges related to burglary and disorderly conduct. As the investigation continues, the heroism of the fallen officers is being honored across the state.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement personnel face daily while striving to protect their communities. The depths of condolences offered by Governor Hobbs reflect the profound impact Bennett and Skankey had on those around them.