Alabama Law Enforcment Agency celebrates Aviation’s 50th anniversary

Today marks a significant date in ALEA’s Aviation Unit history.

On this day 50 years ago, Jerry Hatfield took delivery of the Agency’s first helicopter, a N203PS an OH-13T (Bell 47) in Tucson, AZ. Beginning his flight back to Alabama with no radios, a sketchy set of maps (road maps) he slowly followed U.S. 80 to finally reach Montgomery, three days and nine fuel stops later.

Picture is Jerry and Colonel E. C. Dothard with the helicopter sitting on the lawn of the Public Safety building in downtown Montgomery.