On February 19,2022, Officer Nicholas Vella became the third Huntington Beach Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty. Officer Vella was a 16 year police veteran. At 6:30pm, Officer Vella and Officer Garwood were responding to provide aerial support for the Newport Beach Police Department when it was reported their helicopter experienced a mechanical failure and crashed into Newport Harbor. Officer Vella later succumbed to his injuries. Officer Vella is survived by his wife Kristin and his daughter Dylan.