October 8, 2025
RED FM News Desk The Calgary Police Service (CPS) is marking a major milestone this week — the 30th anniversary of its Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety (HAWCS) and the Air Support Unit, while remembering the tragedy that led to its creation.
HAWCS was established in memory of Const. Rick Sonnenberg, who was killed in the line of duty on October 8, 1993.
In the early morning hours of that day, Sonnenberg and his partner were responding to reports of a stolen vehicle. As he attempted to deploy a spike belt, he was struck and killed instantly by the speeding car. The driver — a youth out on bail — was later convicted of criminal negligence causing death, hit and run, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Sonnenberg was 27 years old and had served with CPS for nearly four years. He was just days away from announcing his engagement.
In his memory, his sister Lisa Sonnenberg founded the Rick Sonnenberg Memorial Society, which raised $1.5 million from public donations to fund the city’s first police helicopter.
HAWC1 took to the skies for the first time on July 18, 1995, making Calgary the first municipal police service in Canada to operate a full-time aerial patrol program.
“Constable Sonnenberg’s legacy lives on in every mission we fly,” said Sgt. Brent Hutt of the Air Support Unit. “HAWCS is more than an air support program — it’s a symbol of innovation, dedication, and community partnership.”
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