Bio & Incident Details
Age: 52
Tour: 30 years
Badge # 212
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 5/12/1998
Weapon: Rifle; AR-15
Offender: Sentenced to life
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Sergeant Finch died of gunshot wounds sustained the previous day by a man who had armed himself with two rifles and two pistols on his porch. Sergeant Finch had been negotiating with the suspect for over an hour when the suspect opened fire with an AR-15 rifle, striking Sergeant Finch numerous times. Sergeant Finch was admitted to the hospital where died the next morning at 10:30 am.
The suspect was shot and wounded in the initial gunfight but barricaded himself in his house for 10 hours before giving up. He was convicted of murdering Sergeant Finch and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Sergeant Finch had served with the Traverse City Police Department for 30 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, grandchild, mother, and 10 siblings.
