JACKSON, Tennessee — The Jackson Police Department will again have a helicopter.
The Jackson Sun ( http://bit.ly/12APaoK ) reported the Department of Defense ordered a military surplus helicopter moved to Jackson from the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office. The aircraft was formerly used to spot marijuana in East Tennessee, but it hasn't been flown since 2006.
Jackson's former helicopter was too damaged for repair after a hard landing in the Mount Calvary Cemetery in October, 2012. Sgt. Gerald Wiltshire was the pilot and Officer Tony Valdes was the observer. Both escaped injury in the accident, which was blamed on a mechanical malfunction.
The helicopter from East Tennessee is being examined by the manufacturer for airworthiness before it is sent to Jackson. It should be in the air in July or August.
Information from: The Jackson Sun, http://www.jacksonsun.com
