Two of the three people killed in a National Guard helicopter crash near the southern border have been identified as a New York State Trooper and another New York National Guard member.
John M. Gracia III, 30, a member of NYSP’s Troop G, was serving with the National Guard in Texas when his helicopter crashed on Friday, when he, a fellow local National Guard and Border Patrol member died. This was announced by the New York State Police PBA..
“Officer Gracia’s dedication to serving and protecting not only the people of New York State but all Americans will be remembered for his ultimate sacrifice,” the union said in a statement.
Rensselaer Mayor Mike Stammell said National Guardsman Casey Frankowski, a graduate of Columbia High School in East Greenbush, New York, was also identified as one of the victims in the crash.
She was the daughter of Rensselaer’s former police chief.
“My deepest condolences go out to the Francoski family, and I join them in mourning the loss of a dedicated patriot from our beloved city,” the mayor said. said in a social media post.added that flags in the town would be displayed at half-mast.
A post on Rensselaer County’s official Facebook page also confirmed that Frankowski and Gracia were killed.
County Executive Steve McLaughlin said the National Guard “represents the best of our country” and offered his condolences to Gracia’s family.
Stammmel identified the other National Guard member injured in the incident as Rensselaer High School graduate Jacob Pratt. The Times Union reported.
The name of the CBP agent who died has not been released.
Gracia’s family could not immediately be reached Saturday night.
A UH-72 Lakota helicopter on a mission to assist with the border crisis in Texas crashed near Rio Grand City, Texas, along the Mexican border around 2:50 p.m., officials said.
Texas Department of Public Safety Southern Region Director Victor Escalon said the crash involved a “military helicopter working with the Border Patrol at the direction of the federal government.”
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
