Injured Helicopter Pilot Chase Cormier
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During the early morning hours of May 2, 2020, Houston Police Helicopter Pilot, Chase Cormier was called out to fly over and investigate a report of bodies in the bayou in north Houston. The report turned out to be a false report. There are news and social media videos that show the helicopter start spinning out of control. The engine sputtered and died. Then, the helicopter came crashing to the ground. The cause of the incident is under investigation by federal, state, and local authorities. There were reports of shots fired from the ground immediately before the helicopter started having difficulties. There was some speculation at the time that the helicopter had been shot down. As a matter of fact, the firemen and police took on gun fire while attempting to rescue Chase and his Tactical Flight Officer, Jason Knox. Several suspects were arrested, and one man was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer after he allegedly shot at two Life Flight helicopters while responding to the crash.
The rescue took over an hour to cut the officers from the wreckage. Jason was not conscious, but Chase was during the entire event. It must have been beyond terrifying. Chase’s left leg was pinned below the helicopter. His right leg was through the windshield. He was covered in aviation fuel and could not see. He was trapped and could not feel his legs. There are recordings of him screaming out for his partner Jason and calling for help.
His partner, Jason Knox, tragically died at the hospital. Jason and Chase, both 35 years old, loved flying. Jason's dad, Mike Knox was a former HPD officer and is now a City of Houston Council Member. Understandably, Chase is simply devastated by the loss of his partner. While Chase is an Army combat veteran, he is not a stranger to terrible tragedy and death. He has learned how to be strong and remain positive through adversity. However, it is difficult for him to come to terms with the fact that his life was spared, and Jason's was not.
In the meantime, Chase has an exceptionally long road ahead, not just weeks or months but years for his recovery. He broke his back in multiple places (L3-L4) and damaged or completely severed some of the related nerves. He underwent 7 1/2 hours of surgery where they fused some of his vertebrae and inserted titanium rods and pins. He had multiple upper back compression injuries; two fractured ribs on the left side and one on the right; a frontal lobe hematoma or bruised brain bleed; multiple fractures to his left foot (which took another 3+ hours of surgery to put in plates and pins); a torn ACL and MCL in left knee (which will need surgery sometime in the future). In addition, there is unknown damage to his left shoulder. The doctors will need more time to assess that injury. Chase is paralyzed from the knees down and will need assistive devices to hopefully walk again. We are very thankful he is still alive and continue to pray for his recovery.
A little background, Chase got his Eagle Scout at the early age of 14. He is an Army combat vet (Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations) and did two tours of duty – one in Iraq and another in Afghanistan. He returned home from the military to become a fireman. But decided instead to follow in his dad's footsteps and join on at HPD. While with the department, Chase has steadily climbed division to division. All the while, Chase worked extremely hard in his off time to get his pilot’s license and several advanced ratings. He then applied and, after waiting a long time for an opening, was accepted by the elite HPD Air and Marine Division – Air Support Unit where he received his Helicopter pilot wings. Chase was living his dream.
Chase is one of the kindest souls you will meet but also one of the most determined and driven. He never stops trying to get further in life all while creating a legacy of his own. His wife Brooke is his best friend; and, anyone that knows them, loves them. Brooke owns an advertising agency that was doing great until Covid-19 shut it down. She lost all her clients because as they told her, "Why advertise if no one can come out and buy anything?" They took a big financial hit. Chase being the man of the house, buckled down and got more extra jobs to keep them afloat. Now this happens....
They will have ongoing expenses from parking, meds, doctor visits, therapy, assistive devices, and rehab to mention just a few. In addition, Chase has been the security officer where they live which, in the past, helped cover their rent. That will now all go away as he will be unable to act in that capacity. The list goes on…
Chase and his wife Brooke hope to get funds to help build an ADA compliant home. In addition, Chase would like to get stem cell treatments that will hopefully help Chase heal from his injuries.
The rescue took over an hour to cut the officers from the wreckage. Jason was not conscious, but Chase was during the entire event. It must have been beyond terrifying. Chase’s left leg was pinned below the helicopter. His right leg was through the windshield. He was covered in aviation fuel and could not see. He was trapped and could not feel his legs. There are recordings of him screaming out for his partner Jason and calling for help.
His partner, Jason Knox, tragically died at the hospital. Jason and Chase, both 35 years old, loved flying. Jason's dad, Mike Knox was a former HPD officer and is now a City of Houston Council Member. Understandably, Chase is simply devastated by the loss of his partner. While Chase is an Army combat veteran, he is not a stranger to terrible tragedy and death. He has learned how to be strong and remain positive through adversity. However, it is difficult for him to come to terms with the fact that his life was spared, and Jason's was not.
In the meantime, Chase has an exceptionally long road ahead, not just weeks or months but years for his recovery. He broke his back in multiple places (L3-L4) and damaged or completely severed some of the related nerves. He underwent 7 1/2 hours of surgery where they fused some of his vertebrae and inserted titanium rods and pins. He had multiple upper back compression injuries; two fractured ribs on the left side and one on the right; a frontal lobe hematoma or bruised brain bleed; multiple fractures to his left foot (which took another 3+ hours of surgery to put in plates and pins); a torn ACL and MCL in left knee (which will need surgery sometime in the future). In addition, there is unknown damage to his left shoulder. The doctors will need more time to assess that injury. Chase is paralyzed from the knees down and will need assistive devices to hopefully walk again. We are very thankful he is still alive and continue to pray for his recovery.
A little background, Chase got his Eagle Scout at the early age of 14. He is an Army combat vet (Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations) and did two tours of duty – one in Iraq and another in Afghanistan. He returned home from the military to become a fireman. But decided instead to follow in his dad's footsteps and join on at HPD. While with the department, Chase has steadily climbed division to division. All the while, Chase worked extremely hard in his off time to get his pilot’s license and several advanced ratings. He then applied and, after waiting a long time for an opening, was accepted by the elite HPD Air and Marine Division – Air Support Unit where he received his Helicopter pilot wings. Chase was living his dream.
Chase is one of the kindest souls you will meet but also one of the most determined and driven. He never stops trying to get further in life all while creating a legacy of his own. His wife Brooke is his best friend; and, anyone that knows them, loves them. Brooke owns an advertising agency that was doing great until Covid-19 shut it down. She lost all her clients because as they told her, "Why advertise if no one can come out and buy anything?" They took a big financial hit. Chase being the man of the house, buckled down and got more extra jobs to keep them afloat. Now this happens....
They will have ongoing expenses from parking, meds, doctor visits, therapy, assistive devices, and rehab to mention just a few. In addition, Chase has been the security officer where they live which, in the past, helped cover their rent. That will now all go away as he will be unable to act in that capacity. The list goes on…
Chase and his wife Brooke hope to get funds to help build an ADA compliant home. In addition, Chase would like to get stem cell treatments that will hopefully help Chase heal from his injuries.
Organizer
Phyllis Marshall
Organizer
Houston, TX