RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia State Police have paid tribute to one of the troopers killed in a helicopter crash during a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville last year.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Wednesday that state police named a helicopter pad in Chesterfield County after Trooper-Pilot Berke Bates. He had earned the “pilot” part of his title just a month before he died on Aug. 12.
State police Superintendent Col. Gary T. Settle said he hopes the memorial brings pride and fond memories for Bates’ wife, two children, friends and colleagues. Trainees at the academy at police headquarters will also run by the helipad daily.
Settle said “we hope that seeing this memorial will prompt them to find out more about the man Berke Bates, and also understand his ultimate sacrifice.”
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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.richmond.com
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