Officer Kristine Marie Fairbanks

Officer Kristine Marie Fairbanks | United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, U.S. Government
United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, U.S. Government
Officer Kristine Marie Fairbanks

United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, U.S. Government

End of Watch Saturday, September 20, 2008

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Kristine Marie Fairbanks

Officer Kristine Fairbanks was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle on Forest Service Road 2880, just past the Dungeness Forks campground off Palo Alto Road on Washington state's Olympic Peninsula. She had radioed the Washington State Patrol dispatch that she would be checking on a van with no license plates at 2:40 pm.

When dispatchers were unable to reach her, troopers were dispatched to check on her and found her suffering from a single gunshot wound. Her canine partner had not been released from her patrol vehicle and was uninjured.

The suspect fled the scene and later murdered a man while stealing his truck. At approximately 9:30 pm, he encountered two Clallam County deputies at a convenience store and was killed in the ensuing shootout.

Officer Fairbanks had served with the United States Forest Service for 22 years. She is survived by her husband and 15-year-old daughter.

Bio

  • Age 51
  • Tour 22 years
  • Badge 1346

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Location Washington
  • Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber
  • Offender Shot and killed

suspicious vehicle

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A great deal of time has passed but you still make a difference in the world through your story.

I'm on vacation with my girlfriend in Forks this week, she was quite a Twilight fan when she was younger and we wanted to tour the sights. As we stopped in to the Forks PD side of the city hall, your memorial photo is still there prominently displayed by the touristy Twilight themed one. I hadn't really thought of where your forest was when I read your story in the case at the USFS staff office at FLETC, but I won't forget it now. I had to quickly look up the story and tell it, now it's permanently etched in my mind. She hates my job as much as I love it, and your story reminds her of the nightmares and creeping thoughts we both have about what can happen in this job. I have no doubt your story will affect her in her work as a paramedic as it will me in mine.

I've seen the echos of your presence in the news story of you daughter joining the PAPD, the comments left here that I can picture now that I've visited and the challenges of this forest I can see while we vacation in it. I see old reflections left by Don Harris, the recently retired Special Agent in Charge of Region 4, Senior Special Agent Brandon Robinson who now serves at a FLETC working with new officers and Officer Jason Crisp who also gave his life in the service of our nation some years after you. Each reflection of theirs makes me consider how they must have felt, thought and changed through the knowledge of your sacrifice, reminding me to be vigilant in and thankful for this short life we have.

I'll return to Idaho soon and go back to work on my forest, with both a revitalized mind and rejuvenated attitude. Your story reminds me to consider the ways I can be careful, the things I can do to be ready and the challenges we face in this work. You have an impactful legacy.

I thank you for your service and sacrifice. You'll never be forgotten.

LEO Kevin Brizzi
USFS LE&I, #2499

November 14, 2023

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