KILLEEN, Texas — City of Killeen leaders publicly mourned the loss of two Fort Hood soldiers after an Apache helicopter crashed near Salado on Wednesday, an accident that also touched off a wildfire and mobilized emergency crews across Bell County.
City statement, names and service
In a written statement, Mayor Joseph Solomon extended the city’s deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of the fallen soldiers, identified as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead. The mayor noted both men were residents of Bell County and that Chief Warrant Officer 2 Huey called Killeen home.
“On behalf of the City of Killeen, we extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and fellow Troopers of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead… Their service, sacrifice and commitment — like that of every soldier who calls Fort Hood home — are woven into the fabric of Killeen and communities throughout Central Texas.”
The two were assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, according to the city statement.
| Service Member | Rank | Unit | Residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deontre T. Huey | Chief Warrant Officer 2 | Bravo Co., 1-227 Avn. Reg., 1st Air Cavalry Bde. | Killeen (Bell County) |
| Seth L. Olmstead | Warrant Officer | Bravo Co., 1-227 Avn. Reg., 1st Air Cavalry Bde. | Bell County |
First responders and community impact
The mayor’s statement specifically thanked the Bell County Sheriff’s Office, Salado Fire Department and Bell County ESD 1, noting that their quick action helped protect residents and the surrounding community after the crash and the subsequent wildfire.
- Emergency crews responded to both the crash site and a wildfire that followed.
- The city described the soldiers as woven into the fabric of Killeen and Central Texas, underlining Fort Hood’s central role in community life.
- City leaders emphasized shared grief and collective support for the families and Fort Hood community.
The mayor’s words framed the event as not only a military loss but a communal one: “When tragedy touches the Fort Hood family, it touches all of us. We grieve together, we pray together and we stand together,” the statement said.
Local context and aftermath
Fort Hood is a defining presence in Killeen and Bell County, with a broad network of active-duty soldiers, civilian employees and military families who live in the city and surrounding communities. The deaths of two aviators from a unit based at the installation are likely to reverberate through that network, prompting mourning across unit ranks, schools, churches and neighborhoods where service members live and work.
The city offered condolences directly to the families and pledged to hold them and others affected “close in our hearts and prayers.” The statement did not provide further details about the crash investigation or the cause of the wildfire. No additional information about memorial plans or official ceremonies was included in the city release.
Investigations of military aircraft accidents are typically led by military authorities; any updates on the cause of the crash, safety findings or formal tributes from Fort Hood will likely come from U.S. Army public affairs offices and the Department of Defense. Local residents and organizations that rely on Fort Hood’s workforce may feel immediate effects as units and families process the loss.
Residents seeking ways to express support are likely to look to local churches, veterans’ groups and military family support organizations; the city’s public expression of grief also signals municipal solidarity with Fort Hood and Bell County emergency services during the response.
As the community continues to learn more from official sources, Killeen leaders have called for unity and reflection in the wake of the tragic crash.
