Gary Pfitzner and Bill Strothman Identified as KOMO Chopper Crash Victims

By Merrill Knox 

bill strothman komoSeattle ABC affiliate KOMO has identified the two victims of this morning’s helicopter crash as Gary Pfitzner, the chopper’s pilot, and Bill Strothman(pictured), a former KOMO photographer.

The names were announced by an emotional Dan Lewis and Molly Shen as part of KOMO’s continuing coverage of the crash this afternoon.

Strothman and Pfitzner were employed by the helicopter leasing company that operates KOMO’s chopper. During Strothman’s career at KOMO, he won 13 Emmy Awards. His son, Dan, currently works as a photographer at KOMO, the station said today.

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“He was a guy who really knew how his pictures could tell a million words. He focused so much on just getting the right shots, the right video, putting it in the right place in the story,” Lewis said of Strothman on KOMO today.

Shen remembered Pfitzner’s love for his job.  “He always also had a smile on his face,” Shen said. “…He loved what he did, loved to be able to fly and be up there above the city and see things from a perspective that most of us don’t get to see.”

“Such a horrible loss. We’re gonna miss you guys,” Lewis said. “Thanks so much for all that you gave to us and to the families.”

Watch Lewis and Shen talk about Pfitzner and Strothman after the jump.

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