Lt. H. Jay Cullen Was The Pilot Killed On Saturday

On Saturday, counter-protesters and white nationalists clashed at an alt-right rally called "Unite the Right "in Charlottesville, Virginia. One person and at least 19 more were injured when a car plowed through a group of counter-protesters, and two Virginia state troopers were killed when their helicopter crashed while monitoring the protests.

Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates were "assisting public safety resources with the ongoing situation in Charlottesville" when their aircraft went down, a police statement read; Lt. Cullen was the pilot.

Their helicopter crashed in a wooded residential area around 5 p.m. Saturday while they were patrolling the unfolding events in Charlottesville. CNN reports that the cause of the crash is still being investigated, but that no foul play is suspected.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe was a personal friend of the men. In a statement, McAuliffe said:

Jay has flown us across the commonwealth for more than three and a half years. Berke was devoted to our entire family as part of our Executive Protection Unit team for the past three years. This is a devastating loss for their families, the Virginia State Police, and the entire commonwealth. These heroes were a part of our family and we are simply heartbroken.

CBS News reports that Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty also released a statement.

Our state police and law enforcement family at-large are mourning this tragic outcome to an already challenging day.

Lieutenant Cullen was a highly-respected professional aviator and Trooper-Pilot Bates was a welcome addition to the Aviation Unit, after a distinguished assignment as a special agent with our Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Cullen was 48-years-old, and according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, he was a married father of two. He had served with the Virginia State Police for 23 years.

On Saturday, President Trump shared his thoughts about the crash on Twitter.

The Officer Down Memorial Page lists the following contact for those looking to send condolences or find out more information about funeral arrangements:

Colonel W. Steven Flaherty

Virginia State Police

7700 Midlothian Turnpike

North Chesterfield, VA 23235

Phone: (804) 674-2843

State police have said that there's "no indication of foul play being a factor in the crash."