When the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C. opens its doors in mid-2018, guests will be greeted by a monument to one of the U.S. Park Police’s most intense rescue missions. Hovering above the visitor’s heads as they walk to the lower level will be “Eagle One,” the Bell 206L-1 helicopter that played a pivotal role in rescuing airline passengers from the icy Potomac River on Jan. 13, 1982.
On that cold afternoon, Air Florida flight 90 crashed into a busy bridge shortly after takeoff from Washington National Airport.
More than 35 years later, the National Law Enforcement Museum was able to bring Eagle One back to Washington, after a restoration at Arrow Aviation’s facility in Broussard, Louisiana.
“We have had the pleasure of supporting the maintenance and equipment needs of many law enforcement aircraft from offices around the country, and are very pleased to be able to give back to the community, which we have supported for so long,” said Cyril Guidry, CEO of Arrow Aviation. “We are honored to play a part of the museum’s development.”
Eagle One will sit in a hangar at a U.S. Park Police facility until the museum is completed. When it opens, the museum will tell the story of American law enforcement through interactive exhibits and stories from officers who’ve put their lives on the line in their dedication to serve their communities. Visitors will get the opportunity to put themselves in shoes of those sworn to protect them.
The museum will host a special lecture on the daring rescue of the passengers of Air Florida flight 90 by Eagle One on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017.
Will Butch be a part of the ceremony? Huge hero on that rescue, great friend
Of Course He will.
Charles
I knew Gene Windsor who was the paramedic on Eagle One on that day. For a very brief time I was his training officer when he came to D-4 on the BW Parkway. He is a true hero. May he Rest In Peace.
Thank you for restoration of Eagle One. This brought back many memories of that frigid cold, snowy day in the City. Myself, as well as several officers of the United States Park Police spent several days and long hours along the banks of the Potomac River during the recovery phase of the crash. The Pilot and Rescue Technician, Officers Don Usher and Gene Windsor placed themselves in harms way during the rescue. Their heroic effort saved several lives as they pulled survivors from the cold Potomac River. I am honored to have served with the men and women of the United States Park Police.
Though I was not a permanent member of the Aviation Unit I was assigned to the unit as a medical technician on and off for several years when the unit was first established. I have the utmost respect for the Aviation Unit and very pleased they will be remembered by restoring Eagle 1 and the daring rescue. David Stover
I got to know Pappy Windsor in communications. Gene didn’t like to talk much about that day. He was a quiet and humble guy. Every year, I feel the need to pull up videos and articles about the incident. I am reminded again and again of the truly super human efforts of that mission, how truly skilled that Don and Gene were and the pinpoint team work it took to pull off the mission. I, for one, will be anxious to see the exhibit. RIP Pappy
This restoration and display is terrific. Many times in my career I was glad to see the Eagle arriving or being above a crime scene or chase. I had the honor of having Gene “Grandpa” Windsor as a field training officer. I also was an FTO for a short time for Donnie Usher. I look forward to seeing the display when it if finished.
I had the distinct pleasure of hiring both Mel (Gene) Windsor and Donald Usher around 1971 or 1972, when O.I.C. of the U.S. Park Police Personnel Branch. They were excellent police officers from day one and was saddened that Gene Windsor passed away so young. May God Rest His Soul! david mcallister, uspp(ret.)
Hats off to USPP Sgt. Pilot Ken Burchell. He was the driving force to save this aircraft and preserve this history. Well done!