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Mike Silva
The heroic efforts of Mike Silva, Vietnam War veteran, did not stop when the war ended. At the helm of Copter 4 for the last 25 years, Mike once risked his own life to assist police in a violent chase that saved the life of a hostage. In 2007, Silva came out of retirement with the Colorado Army National Guard and volunteered to serve in Iraq. At the age of 58, Silva has returned from his successful deployment as a Black Hawk Medevac Pilot. Mike was presented with the prestigious, "Sikorsky Aircraft Rescue Award" for skill and courage while participating in numerous lifesaving missions in Iraq while piloting a Sikorsky helicopter.
Born in Trinidad, Colo., Mike has always felt at home in the sky. After graduating from Metro State College in 1979 with a degree in law enforcement/ aviation, he went into the Colorado Army National Guard for 19 years, retiring as a CW4 Warrant Officer. His distinguished combat service earned him 28 air medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star. In 1988, he received the Valley Forge Cross from the U.S. National Guard Association.
In March 1983, Mike was hired by CBS4 as a helicopter pilot. Soon he was back at Metro State and by 1989 had earned a second degree-in meteorology/broadcasting. Mike now has over 20,000 incident/accident-free helicopter flying hours. In 1993, he was unanimously confirmed by the Colorado Senate to the Aeronautical Board, Department of Transportation Management, and Division of Aeronautics.
Mike's work has been recognized with ten Emmys: in 1997, for "Bolder Boulder"; in 1996, for "Twin Twister"; in 1993, for "Bolder Boulder"; in 1989, for "The June 15th Tornadoes"; and in 1988, he won two Emmys for "Anatomy of a Chase." He also received an Iris for "Riding the High Country," about the Coors International Bike Classic, and an Edward R. Murrow Award for "The Chase."
In 1988, he was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Historical Society's Hall of Fame. And, he was named the National Broadcast Pilots Association's "Pilot of the Year." He has made numerous appearances on national television shows, including, "The Today Show with Jane Pauly", and a second appearance with Debora Norvell. He also has been featured on "Hard Copy," and Fox Television's the "World's Scariest Police Chases," to name just a few.
A man of integrity, competency and intelligence, Mike is in his element when behind the controls of Copter 4. He has no intention of letting up. Married, with three children, Mike's goal is "to continue to do what I do best at the same level of intensity." Mike says radio talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger best describes his past, present and future outlook: "Now I'm doing what I was meant to be doing, and I take it not as a job but as a profound obligation. I feel as though I'm home..."