GoFundMe For Family Of Hero Killed In Military Copter Crash

RIVERHEAD, NY — As the community continues to mourn Dashan Briggs, the former Riverhead High School athlete who was one of seven killed in a tragic military helicopter crash in Iraq, a GoFundMe has been created to help his family.

The GoFundMe, "In Loving Memory of Dashan Briggs," was created by Andre Galarza in East Meadow.

"Dashan Briggs, a 2007 Riverhead High School graduate and full-time member of the Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton, was killed in the crash, according to his grandfather, Eli Briggs, who raised Dashan," he wrote.

He was 30 years old.

"Dashan, my brotha, I was hoping to get a call that everything was going to be alright. Words can’t express losing a very good friend. We had so many great memories and laughs together. You will be deeply missed. I’ll be looking for you on the other side," he wrote. "You were a ride or die friend, great husband and great father. Thank you for serving our county and keeping us safe, Sgt. Briggs."

Galarza added that Dashan touched so many people in the community, and so many people loved him.

"I feel deep down in my heart this would only be right thing to do to help his family. You’ve protected us and now it’s our turn to protect you. Dashan leaves behind a wonderful wife Rebecca, and beautiful children, Ava and Jayden. This entire donation will help support his family for future."

To donate, click here.

On Saturday, the Department of Defense identified four New York Air National Guard airmen killed in an Iraq helicopter crash.

The airmen, three of them from Long Island, were assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing based at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach.

The airmen were part of a seven-member team who died when the HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter they were flying crashed near the city of Al-Qa'im in western Iraq on Thursday.

There is no evidence of enemy action involved in the crash and the incident is under investigation, according to the Department of Defense.

Staff Sgt. Dashan Briggs was a former Riverhead High School star athlete who lived in Port Jefferson Station.

He was an HH-60G special missions aviation flight engineer. He joined the 106th Rescue Wing in 2010. He was a full time military member with the wing and assigned to the 101st Rescue Squadron. He previously deployed to Afghanistan as a munitions system specialist with the 106th Maintenance Group, and to Texas and the Caribbean for hurricanes Harvey and Irma as a member of the 101st.

Hearts are broken in Riverhead as family and friends remembered Briggs.

Family confirmed on Facebook that Dashan Briggs of Riverhead, who served in the United States Air Force, was one of those killed in the tragic crash. "R.I.P.," wrote Brianna Thompson on social media. "My cousin was the best and I'm so proud of your accomplishments. Dashan Briggs, I'm so torn apart. You were such an amazing man all around. . . My heart goes out to his wife and two kids. I'm at a loss for words right now. #nationalAirForceStrong."

Others echoed their sorrow and grief. "My heart aches for Dashan Briggs and his family. He was always like a big brother to me," wrote Nicole Danielle Cancel on Facebook. "He was a beautiful and genuine person inside and out and gave his life for his country. I am truly at a loss of words. Rest in peace, brother."

She told Patch that she met him when she was 15. "He was my partner in my brother's wedding this past summer, which is when I saw him last," she said. Having also served in the Army, she said she left the military in 2016. "We could talk about anything because we knew each other before and after we became soldiers," she said. "He was an amazing person, brother, husband and father and the entire community will feel his loss."

Briggs was a Riverhead High School graduate who also played varsity football.

And, said another high school friend, "#14 Dashan Briggs will live in our hearts forever."

"Dashan was an amazing young man with a heart of gold," Riverhead Coach Tony Lawrence told Patch. "His passion for life and to be the very best at whatever he did."

During his years on the Riverhead lacrosse team, Dashan played just about every position on the field, Lawrence said.

"However, he was best known for protecting the goal. He was our 'backer' on defense. His job was to clean up the mistakes that his teammates made. Which is so poignant because he always said, 'I got your back.' Simply, he was the 'hit man' which made our opponents very fearful of #14 on the field," he said.

He added, "Even with his exceptional athletic ability what really stands out about Dashan was his gentle soul and his love for his teammates. There are not enough words to describe what amazing young man Dashan Briggs was. I always told my players that your reputation is what other may think of you, but your character is what you truly are. Dashan Briggs embodied the meaning of character."

A HH-60 Pave Hawk crashed after striking a power line, ABC News reported; the assessment was made by the crew of a U.S. helicopter accompanying the HH-60.

"All personnel aboard were killed in the crash," said Brig. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, director of operations, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve. "This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today."

Photo courtesy GoFundMe.