Florida Plane Crash: 2 Officers Killed, 2 Others Seriously Injured

CALHOUN COUNTY, FL — A lieutenant with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office and a former law enforcement officer were the two people killed in a small plane crash at Calhoun County Airport near Blountstown, Florida, on Tuesday night.

Lt. Randy McCroan and Steve Mears Jr. were the two killed in the accident, the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office confirmed in a social media post Wednesday.

The plane was carrying four people, and the other two were taken to a hospital following the crash and were "severely injured," according to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office.

The plane was a single-engine Cessna 172, which crashed outside the perimeter fence, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson confirmed to Patch. The crash occurred on takeoff "under unknown circumstances," according to a report from the agency.

McCroan, 56, served more than 30 years with the sheriff's office, spanning the tenures of three different sheriffs. During his time with the department, he was a deputy sheriff, helicopter pilot and a school resource officer, first at Altha Public School and most recently at Carr School. Tuesday was his last day as a school resource officer, and he was looking forward to retirement, according to the post.

Mears, a U.S. Army veteran, worked at the Calhoun Correctional Institution from 1994 to 1997 and then began his law enforcement career at the Blountstown Police Department, where he served until 2001. Later, he served as a reserve on the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, Blountstown Police Department, and Altha Police Department. Mears was the owner of Affordable Towing in Blountstown.

"We at the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office will miss both Randy and Steve," the statement read. "Our hearts are heavy and our prayers are with their families and the speedy recovery of the two other young men."

A memorial for the two former law enforcement officers consisting of a band of yellow flowers has been set up at the airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.