Police Officer Charles Joseph Bohlender, Jr.

Charles Joseph Bohlender, Jr.

Police Officer Charles "Joey" Bohlender and Police Officer Jeff Howey were killed when their helicopter crashed while they were assisting ground officers during a burglary alarm at the Lowe's Home Improvement store, in west Topeka, shortly after midnight.

As the ground officers were inside searching the building, Officer Bohlender, the flight observer, and Officer Howey were circling overhead when the helicopter suddenly went into a spiral and crashed into an adjacent field, bursting into flames. The helicopter, a 1994 Schweizer 300 C, had approximately 5,600 hours of flying time.

The call was later determined to be a false alarm.

Officer Bohlender had served with the Topeka Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his expectant wife, 3-year-old daughter, and 5-year-old son.