Steve Cheney recognized for using helicopter in emergencies

Unselfishly helps out as 'eye in the sky'

Steve "Speedo" Cheney was recognized with an engraved glass plaque for his "unselfishness to emergency services in the Town of Conway" at the police commissioners meeting Tuesday morning. For the better part of a decade Cheney has volunteered his services along with his helicopter to police, fire and rescue whenever there has been a time of need. On Tuesday the commissioners said thank you."We're extremely lucky to have someone like Speedo in our community," Chief Sean Billert said. "He's been more than helpful to us over the years. It's good to know there are people like him willing to step up and help when we need it... I can remember back when I was a young lad and we were searching for people breaking into vehicles on the Upper West Side Road. Speedo took me up in the helicopter and we searched high and low. Having that sort of asset available to our community is a real bonus."Cheney said he's more than happy to lend a hand when he can. "It's fun for me," he said. "I love donating the service and being able to to help out.""Speedo has been a huge help to not only this department but the town," retired police chief Jeff Dicey, who attended the presentation, said. "Whenever we call, he's always been there for us."Cheney has assisted the police department a number of times, including in 2000 when there was a bank robbery in town. Laughing, Cheney said he was willing to assist in the search for the suspect, but admitted he took additional precautions when he saw Det. Joe Faia in bulletproof vest and he didn't have one. "He had the vest, the gun, the whole thing and I had nothing," he said, smiling. "So, I pulled him in front of me and we were all set."Billert said the department actually has a flack jacket and a dispatch radio for Cheney when he now responds to calls. "I think Speedo knows his job isn't to catch the bad guys but to be more or less our eye in the sky," he said. "It's a great partnership."Cheney's helicopter is housed atop of Birch Hill at Wylie Apte's helicopter hanger. "They treat me like kings up there," he said with a grin. "... I can remember I used to pump gas for Wylie down at the airport (formerly located where Settlers' Green is today) for flight time." One thing Cheney hopes to do in the future is have a safety meeting with police, fire and rescue personnel to go over safety procedures for entering and exiting a helicopter. Cheney, who will get a new helicopter on July 9, has assisted in river rescues and aided in locating forest fires. "I think the next time we have a forest fire someone needs to be on the ground with a compass," he said. "That way when we find something in the air, I can say go 90 degrees west for a mile and you'll walk right into it... (Emergency calls) are always a scramble unless you do your homework... Again, don't be afraid to call. If it helps out the community great.""We're lucky to have guys with attitudes like yours," commissioner Paul Whetton said. "We appreciate all that you've done for the town."