POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - One year after a deadly helicopter crash, the Broward Sheriff’s Office gathered to celebrate the legacy and service of one of their fallen, Battalion Chief Terryson Jackson, on the first anniversary of his death.
Battalion Chief Jackson, 50, lost his life while on duty on Aug. 28, 2023 after the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue while heading to an emergency service call in North Lauderdale regarding a car crash.
“Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Terryson Jackson and his flight crew were en route to a medical call when the EC135 helicopter sustained an in-flight emergency and crashed into an apartment building,” said BSO Chaplain Darren Bennett.
The helicopter spiraled down into a Pompano Beach apartment complex. He and two other BSO employees were aboard the helicopter, but they managed to free themselves and were transported to Broward Health North with injuries that were not life-threatening.
The crash also claimed the life of 65-year-old Lurean Wheaton, a civilian who was inside her apartment at the time of the incident.
Jackson, who was a captain with 19 years of service at the time, was promoted to battalion chief after he paid the ultimate sacrifice. He leaves behind two children.
The ceremony was held Wednesday inside the Broward Sheriff’s Office agency’s hangar, the very same hangar that was Jackson’s office for many years.
The ceremony brought together family members, friends, coworkers, and the men and women of the Broward Sheriff’s Office to commemorate Jackson’s legacy. Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony was seen embracing family members and paying his respects.
“The first three months was very, very difficult,” said Dr. Sanjie Jackson, the battalion chief’s sister. “There are a lot of things that we’ve come to know that were really tough, but we’ve gotten stronger as a family.”
BSO has ordered new choppers since the tragedy, but they still have not been delivered.
Tony took the opportunity to publicly address Broward County Commissioners for not fully funding the project to enhance the county’s aviation program.
“I set forth a solid procurement plan for these helos, and they are on the way, and yet we are still not funded for this critical piece of equipment,” said Tony. “We had to down our helo program for eight months and rely on our colleagues from Palm Beach and Miami-Dade [counties] to handle rescue missions that we are responsible for — this county. We have to get beyond the politics of the day and have support from our county colleagues who are responsible for funding us.”
According to the county, the sheriff is asking for about 56% more than originally budgeted, a quarter of a billion dollars more than originally requested. The request also includes salaries, among others things, aside from the aviation program.
Jackson’s family said having the new helicopters coming to the agency is bittersweet for them, and had those choppers already been at the agency, it’s likely Jackson wouldn’t have lost his life.
“It’s bittersweet, because it should have happened before,” said Dr. Sanjie Jackson, “but knowing that the people that are serving now have something better, that’s great.”
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