DPD Helicopter Unit's 40th Anniversary

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Tactical flight officer Sr. Cpl. Charles Sherek (window) watches for obstacles as pilot Sr. Cpl. J. Rucker performs a fly-by during the Dallas Police Department helicopter unit's 40th anniversary celebration at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field in Dallas on Aug. 8, 2009.


Commemorative patches greet guests during the Dallas Police Department helicopter unit's 40th anniversary celebration at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field.


Organizers push a Dallas Police Department helicopter into the Frontiers of Flight Museum during the DPD helicopter unit's 40th anniversary celebration.


Guests visit during the Dallas Police Department helicopter unit's 40th anniversary celebration at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field.




Former Police Chief Frank Dyson visits with other officers during the Dallas Police Department helicopter unit's 40th anniversary celebration at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field. Dyson founded the helicopter unit while he was chief.


Astronaut and Dallas native Jim Reilly (left) talks with Sr. Cpl. Charles Sherek (right) during the Dallas Police Department helicopter unit's 40th anniversary celebration at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field.


Thomas Mitchell (left) and W.D. Smith (right) catch up during the Dallas Police Department helicopter unit's 40th anniversary celebration at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field in Dallas. Mitchell was one of the original two civilian instructor pilots while Smith was one of the original four DPD pilots in the program.


Photos of fallen officers are displayed on an "In Remembrance" table during the Dallas Police Department helicopter unit's 40th anniversary celebration at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field in Dallas.

Please read, "Dallas Police Helicopter Unit looks back over four decades" by Tanya Eiserer / The Dallas Morning News