Andrew Edgerton receives HAI’s Salute to Excellence Law Enforcement Award

Having fallen in love with aviation at an early age, as a child Andrew Edgerton spent hours flying airplanes with his dad. In later years, while working at a desk job in the telecom industry, Edgerton built his helicopter ratings to include commercial, instrument, flight instructor, and instrument instructor ratings. In 2006, he began teaching helicopter flight instruction, teaching on weekends and evenings before landing a full-time news helicopter job.

In 2010, Edgerton joined Virginia’s Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division as a civilian line pilot flying the agency’s Bell 407. He was a part of the unit in 2011 when it became the first law enforcement agency and air ambulance service in the USA to use Bell 429s. When the division’s chief pilot position opened in 2021, Edgerton saw an opportunity to, in his words, put his “old business career skills to work to help strengthen the division”.

Accomplishments and responsibilities

Edgerton had his work cut out for him. When he took the position, the helicopter division was temporarily based at Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF) in Manassas, Virginia, where it had been since July 2020 while its heliport in Fairfax was being rebuilt. Now, in nominating Edgerton for the 2024 Salute to Excellence Law Enforcement Award, Fairfax County Police Lieutenant Brian Bowman stated: “This achievement is particularly noteworthy, as his meticulous planning, leadership, and attention to detail ensured that our operations remained safe and uninterrupted throughout the transition.”

Edgerton also served as the division’s Safety Officer for seven years before his promotion to Chief Pilot. In this role, he evaluated and mitigated risks associated with the unit’s missions and developed plans and risk assessments to maintain safe operations. He also ensured that the agency maintained strict compliance with all aviation regulations and guidelines.

“I really do believe in and enjoy serving the community,” Edgerton said. “If I can pick up shifts to catch a bad guy or get someone to the hospital on their worst day while ensuring the other five pilots can attend to their personal lives, all the better.”

The Salute to Excellence Law Enforcement Award, sponsored by MD Helicopters, recognizes an individual or organization that has contributed to the promotion and advancement of rotorcraft in support of law enforcement activities.

HAI also honored Michael Sagely as its 2024 Pilot of the Year