Odailton of Oliveira Silva, known as Dato of Oliveira, died shot in the head during a robbery on Tuesday (19) at Avenida of Rio Pequeno, at Butantã, at Zona Oeste of São Paulo. The pilot, who commanded the Globocop helicopter used by TV Globo in news coverage, was 77 years old and had around 49 years of experience in aviation. Criminoso on a motorcycle announced the robbery and shot at the vehicle. Após the shot, the car lost control and crashed into a bus. Socorrido and taken to Hospital Universitário, Dato succumbed to his injuries. Polícia Civil investigates the case as a robbery.
Câmera security recorded the moment of the shooting, although it is not possible to confirm the victim’s reaction to the announcement of the robbery. The suspect fled and had not been identified at the time of writing this report.
Carreira marked by professionalism and remarkable stories
Dato of Oliveira built a distinguished career in Brazilian aviation, operating both helicopters and planes in aerial reports and special operations. Seu’s work at Globocop made him well-known among industry professionals and journalists who followed coverage in the capital of São Paulo. In 2010, he was one of the first to arrive at the scene of the Record TV helicopter crash into Jockey Club and helped rescue the victims. Episódio traumatic event occurred in 2002, when he was captured by criminals and forced to fly a helicopter during an action to rescue prison inmates in Guarulhos.
Além of aviation, shared professional experiences through the autobiographical book “Voar é a Segunda Melhor Coisa do Mundo”, released in 2011, and in interviews on television programs, such as Programa do Jô. The work brought together stories accumulated over decades of profession and reflections on his career.
Participações in film and television productions
Paralelo to his career in aviation, Dato worked as an actor in audiovisual projects. In the film VIPs (2011), based on the real story of the embezzler who assumed several false identities in Brasil, he played the character Chicão in the cast alongside Wagner Moura, who played the protagonist Marcelo Nascimento in Rocha.
Seu’s CV also included experience in television series:
- Primeira season of the series Pico from Neblina, shown on HBO
- Personagem Valdomiro, driver of the character Evair
- Trama set in São Paulo where marijuana was decriminalized
Desejo final recorded in book
Trecho written by Dato in his autobiography revealed his wishes for after death. Ele left on record that he would like to be cremated and for his ashes to be thrown into the sea by Praia of Itara-reft, in São Vicente, where he was raised and surfed for many years. Solicitava that a friendly Comandante would perform the flight at low altitude with slow displacement. Também expressed the desire for organs to be donated and for there to be no wake. “I want to be remembered by moments, not in a coffin”, he noted in the publication.
Repercussão in the aviation community
The death of Dato of Oliveira caused commotion among professionals in the airline industry. Aviation’s Representantes released notes highlighting the legacy of professionalism and dedication that marked decades of their career. Sua’s contribution to aerial journalism and special operations was recognized by colleagues and institutions in the field.
The investigation conducted by Polícia Civil continues in search of identification of the suspect. Imagens security cameras capture the moment of the crime, providing elements to investigate the robbery.