Helicopter Unit

The helicopter unit was started in 1969 by Sheriff Earl Whitmore.  Henry-10 and Henry-11, both Hughes 300 helicopters, flew regular patrols during the day and were available for use at night, if needed.  Several deputies were trained as pilots and observers, supervised by one sergeant.

Centrally housed at the San Carlos Airport, they could be airborne in a short time to respond to remote areas of the County, long before patrol cars would arrive.  Many times finding the call was exaggerated and they were able to reduce the amount and speed of responding ground units.

In 1972, Deputy Dave McIntyre and Deputy Jack Gerhardt were flying over the Town of Portola Valley, when a bullet came through the bottom of the helicopter and struck Gerhardt.  A teenage boy had borrowed his father's rifle, purchased ammunition from a local sporting goods store and just took a shot at the helicopter to see if he could hit it.  Gerhardt retired and with the money he received from the sporting goods store and the parents, he bought a tractor trailer rig and drove it for many years after.

In the mid 1970's an anti-war group threatened to bomb the helicopter.  A couple of deputies setup surveillance in one of the deputy's campers, fell asleep, only to be awakened by some people running away from the hanger.  After checking the hanger door, they found that the County's padlock had been removed and replaced with another lock.  Sgt. Bill Sweeney arrived with bolt cutters and removed the lock.  A bomb was found strapped to the helicopter and was removed by Sgt. Sweeney and placed on the road at nearby Steinberger Slough.  As Sgt. Sweeney was walking back to the hanger, the bomb exploded.  No one was injured and no suspects were ever arrested.

In the early 1980's, Sheriff John R. McDonald ordered 2-Henry-10 and 2-Henry-11 to be sold, as they were too expensive to operate.

1971

Deputy Pilots Top Row L-R: Dave McIntyre, Bob Carnevale, Gregg Analla, Jim Belding and Gerry Masshar

Deputy Observers Bottom Row L-R: Dean Sudsbury, Dave Lynch, Les Caldwell, Ray Bouscal and Jack Gerhardt

Not pictured were Deputy Bill McCann who was the Deputy-in-Charge and Deputy Don Faulstich

1976

Standing L-R: Sgt. Dick Schofield, Deputies Mike Preston, Ken Feriante and Mike Bushley

Kneeling L-R: Deputies Keith Kofoed, Ron Groen and Dick Alford

Water Rescue Training

Henry 10 on Display

Santa arrives on Henry 10