Idaho firefighter was retired pilot. He and partner just died in plane crash
A Southwest Idaho firefighter and his partner died in a single-engine airplane crash in Nevada over the weekend.
The Murphy, Reynolds, Wilson Fire District, which covers communities in Owyhee County, announced the death of firefighter Ed Dickman and his partner, Sherry Jones, in a social media post on Monday.
The two were visiting Nevada to attend a family event, the post stated, and the crash occurred while they traveled back to Idaho in a private plane. Dickman, who was a retired airline pilot, was piloting the single-engine plane, the post said.
At about 8:25 a.m. Sunday, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office in Nevada received a report of a possible missing aircraft, which was last reported to be near Empire, Nevada, according to a news release from that office. Search and rescue personnel were dispatched, and the aircraft was located about 7.5 miles southwest of Empire, the release stated.
Responders found Dickman and Jones dead inside the aircraft.
According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the plane was a fixed-wing single-engine aircraft manufactured in 1971, and was registered to Dickman. The FAA report lists the circumstances of the plane crash as unknown.
Dickman previously served as a fire commissioner, fire chief and firefighter/EMT, the MRW district’s post stated, and he was still serving as a firefighter living in the Givens Hot Springs area of Owyhee County.
The district said Jones was known for arranging the fire district’s annual Christmas party.
A memorial for the two is being planned, the district said. Cards and condolences can be mailed to MRW Fire at 11606 Hwy. 78, Melba ID 83641.
