Officers killed in APD chopper crash identified as Richard Halford & Shawn Smiley

Two Atlanta police officers killed in a tragic helicopter crash on Saturday night were identified on Sunday.  APD says Officer Richard Halford and Officer Shawn Smiley died when their helicopter crashed in northwest Atlanta as they were assisting in a search for a missing child.

In a statement released Sunday afteoon, APD said Officer Richard J. Halford, 48, was from Lithia Springs.  He joined APD in May 1986, and had been a pilot with the air unit for more than 16 years.  The department said he had also served in the Zone 4 precinct, which is the motors and DUI unit.  Officer Halford is survived by his former wife and a 21-year-old daughter.

Officer Shawn A. Smiley, 40, was from Lithonia.  He joined APD in October 2012 and had been with the air unit since earlier this year, serving as a tactical flight officer.  Officer Smiley previously served in the Zone 2 precinct.  He is survived by his wife and three children, who are 5, 7, and 9 years old.

Trust funds have bee set up to benefit the families of both officers.  Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank locations beginning at noon on Monday, and they should be made in the officers' names. 

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.  APD says it is coordinating assistance and grief counseling to the officers' families as well as their APD colleagues.