EMS Pilot
Mercy Flight
Buffalo, NY
Age: 60
End of Service: 04/26/2022
Circumstances: Air Medical Crash
James had a long career in the US military and aviation industry. He also served as a career police officer, and volunteer firefighter in upstate NY. After retirement he found a role as pilot with Mercy Flight in 2020. He was known for his impressive knowledge of aviation and his passion for flying which began at the age of 13 with the Civil Air Patrol. He enjoyed farming, adventuring, and trying new businesses with his wife of 39 years. Friends referred to James as “a man who lived to fly and flew to live” and said if he was awake he was doing something to help someone else.