SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Police Department is memorializing a fallen detective with a new helicopter.
The "E.A.G.L.E." took flight Wednesday afternoon in memory of Detective Benjamin Marconi, who was shot and killed outside police headquarters in 2016. He had been with the department for 27 years.
Marconi’s watch ended when he was murdered during a traffic stop conducted on another driver. His killer, Otis McKane, walked up and shot him before driving off. McKane was later convicted and sentenced to death in August 2021, the first death penalty issued in Bexar County in five years.
Marconi's initials and the last three numbers of his badge are etched on the tail of the chopper, which will be used to help police officers on the ground chase down wanted criminals. It's a department tradition to name the helicopters after those killed in the line of duty.
Members of Marconi’s family were present for the dedication, including his daughter, Jacy Reeves, and son, Dane Marconi. The siblings said they were excited to know their dad is still playing a part in protecting San Antonio, and that the dedication showed how much the department cares about officers and their families.
"I think to us, personally, it's just such an honor to have his forever stamp on our department," Reeves said. "These aircrafts were so instrumental in finding the person responsible for his death. We're just so happy that a part of him will always be watching over and in the sky, and continuing to catch bad guys and look over the city. That's all we ever wanted."
"It just shows that they (SAPD) care," Dane Marconi added. "That they give a lot of care to the families. They do different ceremonies every year for them and it just means a lot to us as a family."
San Antonio helicopter pilots Natalie Hernandez and David Richards will be flying the E.A.G.L.E. whenever it's dispatched.
"I think about the family we as police have and the way that we're able to memorialize that, and it's such an emotional event," Richards said. "I'm really appreciative that we have the honor of flying the aircraft in his name."
Hernandez echoed those sentiments, calling it a "great honor" to pay tribute to SAPD's fallen personnel.
"We don't ever want something like that for our families, but it is the reality of the job we do on a day-to-day (basis)," she said.
Police Chief William McManus also spoke at the dedication ceremony about Marconi's legacy living on through the chopper.
"We honor Detective Marconi and his service to the community through this helicopter and may we remember his legacy every time it takes to the sky," McManus said.