SPOKANE -- As part of Spokane County's budget cuts, the sheriff says he'll slash the department's helicopter program to save money.

The helicopter costs the department $430 an hour to run, not to mention maintenance and inspection costs. And already the pilots are volunteers, and the officers who fly have other duties.

Roger Hatcher

As part of Spokane County's budget cuts, the sheriff says he'll slash the department's helicopter program to save money.

Still, the officers involved with the chopper say they hope there is a way around this cut.

The current chopper has been around for four years. Officers say it's used for search and rescue and police chases, among other duties.

But most importantly, they credit the chopper for saving lives, something they say you just can't put a price on.

Recently the chopper was used to help the intelligence of fighting the Valley View wildfire. The officers are hoping some other agencies might chip in to keep the program up and running.

For now though the helicopter program is cut from the Sheriff's Department's budget.

The county's budget proposal must be done on Monday for commissioners to vote.