A Rhode Island police officer and National Guardsman was killed in a parachute accident over the weekend at a Connecticut airport.
East Greenwich police said Sgt. Christopher Callan, a 15-year veteran of the department who served as a second shift supervisor, died Saturday morning following what Connecticut State Police described as a "rough landing on the airfield" at Danielson Airport.
Callan was taken to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, where he was later pronounced dead.
Callan had served with the U.S. Army Special Forces Green Berets and completed numerous tours overseas, police said on Facebook.
The Rhode Island National Guard said in a Facebook post that Callan had "served his country and state honorably for more than 30 years,'' including 14 years with the guard.
"The entire RING family mourns his loss and holds all of 1st Sgt. Callan's family, friends and brothers and sisters in uniform, both in the RING and the East Greenwich Police Department, in their thoughts,'' the guard said.
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Callan was also Jumpmaster for the National Guard's annual Leapfest competition at the University of Rhode Island.
"He was a friend who was respected by all who knew him. His humor kept us all laughing but when it was time to be professional and step up....he did," the Liberty Jump Team said in a Facebook post.
"Chris, our hearts are devastated by this terrible news. You will not be forgotten," the post read.
Callan is survived by his three children, his parents and two sisters.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it is investigating the skydiving accident. The FAA said it will inspect Callan's parachute rigging to determine if it was packed properly by the appropriate person.
