Near Rancho Cordova in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Heroes in the Sky

Sacramento County Sheriff's Helicopter Crash Memorial

Photographed by S B, circa 2015

1. Heroes in the Sky Marker

Inscription. On July 13, 2005
Sheriff's Helicopter Star VI
was patrolling the skies,
when a catastrophic engine failure
brought the ship to its final resting place
on the north shore of Lake Natoma.
This monument serves as
a memorial to deputies
Joseph Kievernagel
and
Kevin Blount
who tragically lost their lives
in the crash,
as well as to the suffering of
Eric Henrikson
who was critically injured.
Their dedication to service and extreme sacrifice
will never be forgotten.
They truly are our "Heroes in the Sky".

Erected 2006.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.

Location. 38° 38.165′ N, 121° 12.973′ W. Marker is near Rancho Cordova, California, in Sacramento County. It can be reached from Hazel Avenue north of U.S. 50. The marker is located on the trail at Nimbus Flat State Park just east of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rancho Cordova CA 95670, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in Sacramento Valley,

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Treasured American River (approx. 0.6 miles away); We Will Not Forget...

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(approx. one mile away); In Memory of All American Veterans (approx. one mile away); Path of Honor (approx. one mile away); Natomas Consolidated of California (approx. 2.2 miles away); Southern Pacific Railroad Superintendent's House (approx. 3 miles away); Rancho Rio de los Americanos (approx. 3 miles away); "Jim’s Bridge" (approx. 3 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Coloma Road (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Designed by Bob Bennet of Bennet Sculptures

Regarding Heroes in the Sky. 2 officers died, I was seriously injured in the crash that took place nearby in 2005.

Also see . . .
1. The STAR6 Memorial. Information on the accident and the making of the memorial monument. (Submitted on March 6, 2015.)

2. Kevin P.Blount / Joseph M. Kievernagel. California Peace Officers Memorial Foundation entry (identical entry on Joseph M. Kievernagel page) (Submitted on December 20, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Heroes in the Sky Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by S B, circa January 2015

2. Heroes in the Sky Memorial

Heroes in the Sky: Deputy Kevin Blount image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner

3. Heroes in the Sky: Deputy Kevin Blount

Heroes in the Sky: Deputy Joseph Kievernagel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner

4. Heroes in the Sky: Deputy Joseph Kievernagel

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2015, by S B of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 1,245 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on March 11, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 4, 2015, by S B of Sacramento, California. 3, 4. submitted on December 20, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.