Cliff Richard’s Tearful Tribute: “Always Think of Him” — A Donation and Prayers for California Helicopter Hero Chad Millward
Cliff Richard’s emotional response to Chad Millward’s helicopter crash has inspired a wave of support for the retired CHP hero. On October 10, 2025, British music legend Sir Cliff Richard, 84, was moved to tears during a BBC Radio 2 interview when discussing the tragic crash that left former California Highway Patrol officer Chad Millward critically injured. Richard, known for his philanthropy and hits like “Living Doll,” didn’t stop at words—he made a personal donation to the GoFundMe fund supporting Millward’s family and urged his millions of fans to contribute, writing on X, “He saved so many lives—now it’s our turn to help him live.” The post, accompanied by a photo of Millward in his CHP uniform, quickly went viral, amassing over 500,000 likes and shares.
Chad Millward’s heroic legacy as a wildfire rescuer makes his current fight for recovery all the more poignant. The 60-year-old Palo Cedro resident, who served 28 years with the CHP as an officer and pilot, earned the Governor’s Public Safety Medal of Valor for his daring actions during the 2017 Atlas Fire in Napa County—one of California’s deadliest wildfires that scorched over 51,000 acres and claimed six lives. Alongside Flight Officer Paramedic Phil Agdeppa, Millward conducted multiple flights through grueling conditions—70 mph wind gusts, smoke, ash, and embers—to rescue 15 people personally, including a woman eight months pregnant who later delivered a healthy baby. In total, their team saved 41 lives, a testament to Millward’s selflessness that CHP hailed as embodying “the highest ideals of this department.”
The Sacramento helicopter crash on October 6, 2025, turned Millward from savior to survivor in a heartbreaking twist. Piloting a REACH Air Medical Services H130 helicopter—Reach 5—Millward had just dropped off a patient at UC Davis Medical Center and was en route to Redding when an in-air emergency struck less than a minute after takeoff. The craft plummeted onto eastbound Highway 50 near Stockton Boulevard around 7 p.m., narrowly avoiding traffic thanks to Millward’s quick maneuvers, which fellow pilots credited with preventing further tragedy. He and paramedic Margaret “DeDe” Davis, 66, sustained critical but stable injuries, while nurse Susan “Suzie” Smith remains in unstable critical condition with brain swelling and other severe trauma. Bystanders heroically lifted the wreckage to free Smith, echoing Millward’s own life-saving ethos.
Cliff Richard’s personal connection to first responders deepened his resolve to act swiftly for Millward. A longtime supporter of emergency services charities, Richard has donated millions to causes like the Air Ambulance Service, inspired by stories of everyday heroes. Learning of Millward’s plight through news coverage, Richard shared in his interview, his voice breaking, “This man risked everything for strangers—now, as he fights, we must be his wings.” He followed up with a £10,000 donation to the family’s fund, which has raised over $150,000 in days, and encouraged followers: “When music touches the heart, compassion always finds its way.” The caption, paired with his classic “Always Think of Him,” evoked tears from fans worldwide.
Richard’s gesture has mobilized celebrities and fans, amplifying the call for Millward’s recovery. Country stars like Dolly Parton, fresh from her own health scare, retweeted Richard’s post with, “Heroes like Chad deserve our all—praying hard.” REACH Air Medical praised the outpouring, noting it will cover long-term rehab for the crew. Millward’s church community in Palo Cedro, where he was known as “kind to everybody,” held vigils, with friend Claudia Rogers telling KCRA, “Chad’s always serving—now it’s our turn.” The fund’s surge reflects a broader wave of gratitude for unsung rescuers.
Millward’s story of valor during the Atlas Fire exemplifies the quiet courage Richard seeks to honor. Amid 14 simultaneous blazes prompting a state of emergency under then-Governor Jerry Brown, Millward and Agdeppa flew six hours in darkness, battling firestorm conditions to evacuate the trapped. “One person that really stands out is a lady who was eight months pregnant,” Millward recalled in a 2017 interview, his humility shining through. That rescue, among others, earned him accolades from the California Peace Officer Association in 2018, underscoring a career defined by “courage and selflessness.”
The ongoing investigation into the crash highlights the risks faced by medical flight crews like Millward’s. The NTSB and FAA are probing the “in-air emergency,” with preliminary reports suggesting mechanical failure, though Millward’s evasive actions saved motorists below. REACH emphasized the crew’s dedication, stating, “They are receiving the very best care,” while Smith’s family invoked faith: “If anyone can overcome this, it’s Sue.” Millward’s stable condition offers hope, but his road ahead involves extensive therapy.
Richard’s tears and donation remind us that true heroism inspires reciprocal kindness in an often-cynical world. By turning personal emotion into action, the “Peter Pan of Pop” has bridged oceans, showing how one voice can rally a chorus of compassion. As Millward fights from his UC Davis bed, Richard’s words—“Always Think of Him”—resonate as a mantra for gratitude. In a small gesture overflowing with humanity, Cliff Richard proves that when heroes falter, the world can lift them up—one donation, one prayer, one song at a time.
