Captain Herb Emory

Captain Herb Emory served as the lead traffic anchor in the WSB Skycopter on radio and TV in Metro Atlanta for 23 years until his death in 2014.

Prior to GPS devices, Emory’s eyes and mind were maps. His keen attention to detail and memorization of landmarks and the road system allowed him to guide pilots with precision to various incidents to get pilots, airline and airport employees, passengers and the general public safely to their destinations.

Emory flew over police chases, grizzly crash scenes, structure fires, storm damage, and the everyday jams Atlantans sat through. But motorists were comforted by Captain Herb’s warm delivery and jovial reactions to the good, the bad, and the ugly on their commutes.

Outside of his traffic duties, Captain Herb attended many community service events, whether as an MC or helper, served on the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame Board of DIrectors and on the board for the Friends of Sweetwater Creek State Park. He was also on the advisory board for Douglas County Animal Control.

For years, Emory hosted an annual “Toys for Tots” drive and broadcast at Fred’s BBQ House in Lithia Springs for nearly 20 years.

On Saturday, April 12th, 2014, ten days after his 61st birthday, Emory witnessed a crash in front of his house and helped pull the teens from the wrecked car. As he was helping police direct traffic, he fell dead from a heart attack. An honorary police officer, community servant, and traffic reporter died while doing all three things.

Captain Herb Emory is missed, but his legacy lives on both on the ground and in the skies.