Tactical Flight Officer/ Observer Kevin Patrick Blount

Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

Tactical Flight Officer/ Observer Blount's Act of Heroism

Date of Birth: 12/7/75
Date Appointed:September 29, 1996
End of Watch: July 13, 2005

Deputy Kevin Blount was killed on July 13, 2005, while serving as observer on the Sheriff's Department's helicopter, Star 6.

Deputy Joe Kievernagel was piloting the craft. The helicopter soon responded to assist with a buglary call at a Folsom business. After clearing the call they flew over the Lake Natoma area to check on the welfare of the hundreds of people who had gathered at the lake to get relief from the intense heat being experienced in the Sacramento area.

What happened next will remain in the hearts and minds of the Sacramento Sheriff's Department forever. Star 6 developed catastrophic engine trouble. Witnesses reported that Deputies Blount and Kievernagel seemed to be trying to control the craft. The helicopter continued out of control and crashed into the side of a hill and rolled. Deputies Kevin Blount and Joe Kievernagle were killed.

Dispatchers reported that even as the helicopter was flying out of control Deputy Blount remained calm and professional to the end giving dispatchers the helicopters exact location in the hilly terain. By doing so, rescue personal were able to locate the wreckage , put out a fire threating the Deputies lives, but most importantly administer first aid to a third Deputy on board the craft, Depruty Eric Henrikson, saving his life.

My Hero

My son Kevin Blount was a wonder, kind person. His loss at age 29 was a horrible tragedy not only for his family but the people of the Sacramento region. His main goal in life was to protect the citizens of Sacramento County. He was often quoted as saying,"I can't belive they pay me to do this job I love so much."