CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — The pilot who was killed after a collision involving a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter has now been identified as a doctor who works at Penn State Health.
READ MORE | Pilot dead after unexpectedly veering into state police chopper, injuring troopers inside
Paul Sokoloski, 57 of Hershey, is listed on Penn State Health’s website as an emergency medicine physician.
CBS 21 also reached out to the Cumberland County coroner, who confirmed Sokoloski was a local doctor.
According to his LinkedIn page, Sokoloski highlighted an extensive career in medicine, including years as a physician at Penn State Health and Western Maryland Health System, over a decade as a physician at WPA Emergency Medicine Staffing and years as security police for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.
He also listed that he was an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Penn State College of Medicine.
Under his skills tab, he mentioned having a commercial pilots license and being a certified flight instructor.
Kimberly Rhodes, a nurse practitioner who worked with Sokoloski at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, MD, said he loved his children and flying.
“I want the community just to be aware that we’ve lost a truly, truly special human being, a physician and a member to the community. He was a guy who. he would give you the shirt off of his back.”
Penn State Health released a statement about the doctor’s passing.
“The Penn State Health community is deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Paul Sokoloski, a valued member of our emergency medicine team. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. We are focused on supporting Dr. Sokoloski’s loved ones and the members of our care teams who worked alongside him and are grieving his passing.”
Sokoloski’s autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25, the coroner said.