Lester Hathcox's second home was the cockpit.

After spending more than three decades flying for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Hathcox piloted WFLA's Eagle 8 helicopter.

"Lester is the kind of guy that is so friendly, when you meet him he was your instant friend," said Paul Lamison, WFLA's chief photojournalist. "He was the kind of guy who would come up to you and say, 'Hey boss.'"

Lamison flew with Hathcox countless times over the past 15 years. The two bonded over stories about their families.

"When he talked about his wife, his eyes lit up and that's why he did everything," Lamison said. "He flew so he could provide for his wife. He loved to fly but he loved his wife more."

Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said Hathcox flew hundreds of missions, directing deputies to the locations of suspects and missing children and adults.

"Lester was the perfect combination of deputy and pilot," Gee said. "He had the instincts of a cop and the skills to fly."

Hathcox was killed Monday when the plane he was co-piloting crashed in Climax, Georgia. He was with local attorney Gene Odom, who was also killed.

The plane left Lakeland Linder Regional Airport around 9 a.m. Monday.

"Gene was a game changer whenever he was on cases," attorney Luis Viera said. "He was a person whose reputation preceded him."

Viera recently worked a case alongside Odom.

"It's like if you're a pitcher and you're up against a hitter and then Lou Gerhig comes to the plate," Viera said. "Gene Odom was certainly the Lou Gerhig, you pitched to him differently."

Odom's law firm, Martinez-Odom Law Group, had no comment on the crash.

The plane is owned by Brandon-based company Legal Airways LLC.

The Decatur County Sheriff's Office said the National Transportation Safety Board took over the investigation into what caused the crash Tuesday morning.

Statement from WFLA News Director Bill Berra

"It saddens me to let you all know that we lost one of our Eagle 8 pilots today. Lester Hathcox died in a plane crash in Georgia this afternoon. Details are still coming out but we have confirmed that Lester was in fact on that plane and there were no survivors from the crash.

"Lester was one of our back-up pilots for many years and he also flew for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Everyone who ever flew with Lester says the same thing, “He was just a nice guy.” He was a great pilot and someone we could always count on.

"Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts this week."