TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Virginia State Trooper who died in a helicopter crash on Saturday has ties to the Capital City.
Berke Bates started his career at FHP in August of 1998 at the training academy in Tallahassee.
He worked out of the FHP Tallahassee office for a year, but spent the majority of his service in Palm Beach County.
He left FHP in January 2004 before transferring to Virginia.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Bates and pilot Lieutenant Jay Cullen were killed when their helicopter crashed into a wooded area while monitoring civil unrest occurring in Charlottesville, Virginia, during a large protest.
The helicopter had taken off to monitor the Virginia governor's motorcade after he arrived in the area. The helicopter then experienced some sort of issue before crashing into the trees, becoming engulfed in flames.
Today, President Donald Trump directly targeted those who preach and support racism and bigotry.
Trump added anyone who acted criminally in this past weekend's violence in Charlottesville will be held "fully accountable".
