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Incident
Police Officer Nicholas Vella was killed in a police helicopter crash at about 6:30 pm.
He and another officer were responding to provide aerial support to the Newport Beach Police Department at the scene of a fight call. The helicopter lost altitude and crashed into Newport Bay, near 18th Street. Officer Vella and his partner were both pulled from the helicopter and transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Vella had served with the Huntington Beach Police Department for 14 years and had previously served with the Laguna Beach Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Vella gave the Huntington Beach Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huntington Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Vella.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Huntington Beach Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Nicholas is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Nicholas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nicholas is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 2 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 105th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 2022, 60 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2022, 61 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 89th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Nicholas was 44. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Nicholas had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Nicholas was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Nicholas had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nicholas was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Nicholas had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 13.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Huntington Beach Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Huntington Beach Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Nicholas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Huntington Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
