On this day, we honor the memory of two Maryland State Police officers, Trooper First Class/Flight Paramedic Mickey C. Lippy and Pilot Stephen H. Bunker, who tragically lost their lives while serving the public in a helicopter crash in 2008. Their bravery and sacrifice while attempting to save the lives of two critically injured teenagers during a medical evacuation remains a solemn reminder of the risks first responders face every day.
The incident occurred during the evening of September 27, 2008. Trooper First Class Lippy, 34, and Pilot Bunker, 59, were on board a Maryland State Police Eurocopter Dauphin helicopter, en route from Charles County to Prince George’s Hospital Center. They were in the midst of transporting two critically injured teenagers who needed urgent medical attention following a serious vehicle accident. However, their mission encountered severe complications when the helicopter flew into deteriorating weather conditions, which posed a threat to their safe passage.
Pilot Bunker made the decision to divert the flight toward Andrews Air Force Base, aiming to rendezvous with ambulances to complete the transportation of the patients. Unfortunately, shortly before midnight, the helicopter crashed into Walker Mill Regional Park, just a few miles short of the runway at Andrews Air Force Base.
The crash claimed the lives of both Trooper First Class Lippy and Pilot Bunker. The teenagers on board, along with another crew member, survived but were critically injured. The investigation into the crash revealed that inclement weather, combined with communication challenges, played a role in the tragic event.
Trooper First Class Mickey C. Lippy joined the Maryland State Police on October 1, 2004. He served the MSP Aviation Command as a Flight Paramedic starting on April 25, 2007, and was deeply committed to his role in life-saving missions. Lippy was known for his professionalism and dedication to serving others. He was survived by his wife and infant daughter, leaving behind a family that mourns the loss of a husband and father.
Pilot Stephen H. Bunker had an equally distinguished career. He was first appointed as a Maryland State Police Trooper on November 30, 1972, and retired as a Corporal in July 1998. Despite retiring from the MSP, Bunker’s passion for service brought him back to the department as a civilian pilot, continuing to contribute to critical life-saving missions through the Aviation Command. He was survived by his wife and three children, all of whom continue to honor his legacy.
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command plays an essential role in emergency medical services across the state, providing aerial transportation for critically injured patients. The mission that Trooper First Class Lippy and Pilot Bunker were involved in is a vivid example of the life-saving work they do daily, often under challenging conditions.
Both men were honored posthumously for their bravery and service, and their memories continue to inspire those who serve in the Maryland State Police and beyond. On this anniversary, their sacrifice is not only remembered by the Maryland State Police but also by the community they worked to protect.
For more information about Trooper First Class Lippy, Pilot Bunker, and other fallen heroes of the Maryland State Police, visit the Maryland State Police’s Fallen Heroes page, which honors the lives of those who have given their all in the line of duty.
