By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Nineteen years ago, what started as a dramatic police chase ended in a tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of four Valley journalists, including two Arizona’s Family colleagues.
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On July 27, 2007, 3TV and ABC 15’s helicopter crews were covering a police chase that was being broadcast live to hundreds of households. A fleeing suspect in a water truck tried to elude pursuing officers across Phoenix.
Moments later, TV screens across the state on both channels went blank.
The two choppers collided mid-air around 12:45 p.m. and came down at Steele Indian School Park in central Phoenix.
3TV’s pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox died that day, along with ABC 15’s pilot Craig Smith and photographer Rick Krolak. No one on the ground was injured.
The mid-air collision made international headlines and prompted changes to how stations use news helicopters across the country. Since then, all four Phoenix news stations share one helicopter.
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Following the crash, a memorial was unveiled at the park to honor the four men. Every year, friends, family and colleagues gather to remember them and share stories. The memorial features a plaque of all the men and what happened that day.
In honor of Cox, his family created the James Alan Cox Foundation for student photographers, which provides financial support and opportunities for aspiring photojournalists.
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