Undersheriff Larry Koren, Lieutenant Fred Beers, Deputy Michael Levison, and Rescue Specialist Matthew King all killed in helicopter crash near Las Vegas, New Mexico

Modified Date: 
Tue, 12/05/2023 - 10:27am
Accident Date: 
Saturday, July 16, 2022

4 killed in BCSO helicopter crash near Las Vegas(link is external)

BCSO spokeswoman Jayme Fuller said those onboard their helicopter Metro 2 were heading back to Albuquerque after assisting firefighters with the East Mesa Fire.

Four dead after a sheriff's office helicopter crashed in New Mexico(link is external)

The sheriff's office says there were three members of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and one member of the Bernalillo County Fire Department in the helicopter at the time of the crash. There are no known survivors.

Victims in BCSO helicopter crash identified (link is external)

Sunday afternoon, BCSO announced the names of those on the aircraft as Undersheriff Larry Koren, Lieutenant Fred Beers, Deputy Michael Levison, and from Bernalillo County Fire Rescue, Rescue Specialist Matthew King.

Attorney General Balderas Issues Statement On Death Of Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office First Responders In Helicopter Crash(link is external)

“I am heartbroken to hear of the helicopter crash that tragically took the lives of Bernalillo County first responders who were bravely assisting with the East Mesa Fire.

Four died ‘doing what they love’(link is external)

Surrounded by their command staff, Sheriff Gonzales and Fire Chief Greg Perez held a somber news conference to offer their condolences to the men’s families, support to their colleagues and a timeline of the day’s events preceding the crash. County employees, some tearing up, sat in the audience.

Timeline of BCSO helicopter crash near Las Vegas(link is external)

Below is the timeline put together by BCSO with approximate times of how the day went.

Family of BCSO Deputy Michael Levison, who died in helicopter crash, says he dedicated his life to serving others(link is external)

"He was living his best life. He loved being a sheriff's deputy. He loved his job and he loved helping people," Danny and Marie Levison, his dad and stepmom, said.

One of the BCSO helicopter crash victims had initially survived to call 911(link is external)

It is unclear who had called San Miguel County 9-1-1. The recordings obtained by Target 7 were of dispatchers directing emergency crews where to go.

Bernalillo County leaders speak for the first time on tragic helicopter crash(link is external)

Chief Perez said it'd been a tragic 48 hours for Bernalillo County. From the time of the crash to the procession for the fallen and Monday, where he spoke on the incident.

BCSO helicopter crash victim initially survived (link is external)

What caused the crash and other details surrounding the incident will be determined through a lengthy investigation, according to the NTSB. 

NTSB releases preliminary report on fatal BCSO helicopter crash(link is external)

The report says two people were on a ridge looking at the sunset when they saw Metro 2 fly over them. The witnesses said they saw the helicopter rapidly descend without making any turns.

Autopsies released in BCSO helicopter crash(link is external)

Recently released autopsies determined the three Bernalillo County deputies and one firefighter killed in a July helicopter crash all died as a result of blunt-force trauma.

BCSO relaunches helicopter unit after fatal crash(link is external)

The unit hasn’t flown since a second helicopter in the unit crashed July 16, about 25 miles south of Las Vegas, New Mexico, killing four first responders who were helping to fight the East Mesa Fire.

People Involved: 
Larry Koren
Fred Beers
Michael Levison
Matthew King