Agoura Hills cameraman killed in helicopter crash

By John Loesing Acorn Staff Writer

Larry Greene

The local community has been saddened by the loss of Larry Greene, an Agoura Hills resident and longtime cameraman for KCBS-TV in Los Angeles, who died last week while on special assignment in the Persian Gulf.

The 50-year-old Greene was killed when a U.S. Navy helicopter in which he was riding crashed into a Syrian freighter, according to officials at the Pentagon. Four Navy personnel who were on board suffered injuries, according to Air Force Brig. Gen. John Rosa, a Pentagon spokesman in Washington, D.C.

Greene lived in Old Agoura with his wife, Diana, and two sons, Clay, 13, a Lindero Canyon Middle School student, and Connor, 9, a student at Sumac Elementary School.

Greene joined Channel 2 in 1978 and over the years his photojournalism had won several awards, according to Alberto Mendez, the station’s assignment editor.

"For the short time I’ve known him he was a wonderful man, very professional, very caring and loving and we’re going to miss him," Mendez said. "He was more than just a photographer; he was a friend here to many of us."

Greene was working in the Gulf with Randy Paige, a Channel 2 reporter who was on board the nearby USS Mobile Bay when the mishap occurred.

According to Rosa, the SH-60B helicopter was hovering above the Syrian vessel to observe a health inspection boarding when its rotor blade struck the ship’s mast. The helicopter plunged into the ocean.

The Mobile Bay, which is part of the U.S. 5th Fleet, helps enforce U.N. sanctions against Iraq.

"The entire KCBS family mourns the tragic passing of our beloved friend and colleague Larry Greene," said Don Corsini, KCBS president and general manager. "Over the course of his 24 years with Channel 2, Larry established himself as one of the best and most-honored photojournalists in the business.

"In addition to being a consummate pro who loved taking on the tough assignments, Larry had a special gift for enlightening and frequently entertaining his colleagues," Corsini said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Larry’s wife and their two sons, as well as the many people at Channel 2 and throughout the Southland who considered Larry a dear ‘friend.’"

A representative of KCBS said Channel 2 will set up a scholarship fund for Greene’s children. Send donations to Sons of Lawrence H. Greene Scholarship Fund/CSFA at 1505 Riverview Road, St. Peter, Mn., 56082. KCBS-TV will host a memorial service at 10 a.m., Sat., Sept. 14 at the KCBS Studio Center, 4024 Radford, in Studio City.