Keith T. Hashimoto
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
March 30, 1996
Reno Policeman Dies Sky Diving
Swat training: Fatal fall comes in practice at Fallon Naval Air Station
Reno Police Officer Keith Hashimoto, 36, was killed Friday when his parachute failed to open during a SWAT practice with Navy Seals at Fallon Naval Air Station.
“Now we’re trying to organize aid for two small girls and his wife.” Police Chief Jim Weston said Friday afternoon at a packed news conference. Holding back tears, Weston added, “The worst part of this is two small children have lost their father.”
Weston and Capt. Dave Nichols, Naval Strike Warfare Center commander, would not speculate on the cause of the accident or say whether the Navy-supplied parachute deployed even partially.
The accident happened about 8:30 a.m. at the Bravo 16 training range southwest of the Navy airfield. Hashimoto and police Sgt. Steve Pitts jumped with four Navy personnel from an H-60 Sea Hawk helicopter at about 5,000 feet, Weston said.
The same helicopter flew Hashimoto to Washoe Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Weston said Pitts then found and notified Hashimoto’s wife, Carol.
“These are the best officers we have. We want to know what happened too.” Weston said of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team.
Nichols said the accident temporarily suspended all parachuting at the Navy station. He said experts from the Naval Air Warfare Center in China Lake, Calif., were being called to determine exactly what happened. Hashimoto was an experienced jumper, but Weston said he did not know how many times he had jumped.
The death cast a pall over local law enforcement agencies. Flags quickly dropped to half-staff and officers placed black ribbons over badges or around their arms.
…Because he was on duty when he was killed, his family will receive some federal and city benefits, Weston said. However, a trust fund for his two children, Krystina, 8, and Danielle, 5, has been established…
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South Wall Column 14 Row D View The Plaque