It’s a department tradition to name the helicopters after those killed in the line of duty.
SAN ANTONIO — A new helicopter will take flight in memory of a fallen SAPD detective on Wednesday.
It’s a department tradition, honoring those killed in the line of duty.
Detective Benjamin Marconi was shot and killed outside Public Safety Headquarters in 2016.
And now his legacy will fly high above the city he served for 27 years in SAPD’s newest E.A.G.L.E., which is part of their helicopter unit.
It will be used to help police officers on the ground chase down bad guys.
It will also bear the initials of the fallen detective and the last three digits of his badge number on the tail.
Detective Marconi’s watch ended when he was murdered during a traffic stop on another driver.
His killer, Otis McKane, just walked up and shot him before driving off. McKane was later convicted and sentenced to death in August of 2021, the first death penalty issued in Bexar County in five years.
That helicopter will be dedicated later Wednesday morning.
Marconi’s family will be there as the new chopper becomes part of the force.