With profound sadness, AZDPS announces the loss of Pilot Robert B. Skankey and State Trooper/Para...
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About the Creator
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) is the official state agency responsible for public safety, law enforcement, and emergency response in Arizona. Their Twitter content is formal, factual, and focused on official announcements, operations, and tributes, delivered with solemn professionalism. As a government entity, their information is highly credible and serves as the primary source for DPS-related news.
What's This About?
This post announces the tragic deaths of AZDPS Pilot Robert B. Skankey and State Trooper/Paramedic Hunter R. Bennett, killed on February 4, 2026, when their helicopter Ranger 56 crashed while providing air support during an active shooter incident in Flagstaff stemming from a domestic violence call.[1][4][5] The suspect, Terrell Storey, fired at officers from rooftops for nearly two hours before being apprehended with non-life-threatening injuries; no ground officers were hurt.[3][5] Key themes include sacrifice in the line of duty, community mourning, and tributes to the heroes' service, with processions held and flags at half-staff ordered by Governor Katie Hobbs.[1][4]
🔥Why It's Trending
The post is trending due to the recent timing—just six days after the February 4 crash on February 10, 2026—amid widespread mourning, processions, and media coverage of these fallen heroes.[1][6] Public interest peaks from tributes by law enforcement, veterans, and locals, amplified by the dramatic context of an active shooter response gone wrong.[2][5] Relevance stems from honoring first responders' sacrifices, resonating nationally with ongoing discussions on police aviation risks.
💡Fun Facts
- 1Robert Skankey was a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel who flew over 5,100 hours and served as a Presidential Support Pilot.[4][5]
- 2Hunter Bennett, aged 28, married his high school sweetheart Breanna just four months prior in Hawaii on October 21, 2024.[1][4]
- 3Skankey earned a Master's in Administration from Northern Arizona University in 2016 and graduated from Brigham Young University.[4]
- 4The helicopter Bell 407 had passed inspection on January 29, 2026, and the crash cause is under NTSB and FAA investigation.[3][5]
- 5Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags at half-staff statewide from February 7 to 8 in their honor.[1]
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