Officer Floyd James Fink Jr. Arizona Department of Public Safety Arizona Friday, February 18, 2000  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 22 of 2

To Officer Floyd Fink, his loved ones, and his fellow officers:

On this the ninth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart is with all family members and friends who call you beloved. They are all in my thoughts and prayers today. I can see from the loving reflections left by your loyal friends that you were an amazing man who is loved and missed by all those whose lives you touched.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

I am sure you were proud to have your son follow in your footsteps. Rest in Peace, Officer Fink. I am so humbled by your valor and service.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Skip gave to his community and the citizens of Arizona, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on February 18, 2000.

Phyllis Loya
mother of Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05
2009-02-18

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
2009-02-18

Skip,


What do I say about you! You are such a comedian and I enjoyed every minute while doing ride alongs with my husband. You were his FTO and he learned so much from you. From the bottom of my heart, I will miss you and my condolences to your family. I will never forget you. I have never seen so many people at a funeral from so many agencies. You were loved by many.

Officer Denise Ossanna
Cottonwood Police
2009-01-16

3 digits, we miss you Skip!

Ryan

2008-12-03

Even in the world after this world we will be together...

Two magical beings of light and air, dancing through the heavens, shaking the stars free from the night sky.

Even in the life beyond this life, where a billion souls free-fall through the universe...

I will come, and I will find you.

I miss you.

Cindy Handrick
Sister-in-law
2008-06-13

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones and close friends today and every day. Keep watch over all of them and protect them from harm. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
2008-02-18

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR LONG AND DEDICATED SERVICE. YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT LOVE YOU.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-02-11

Hi Skip,
Just a quick note to let you know we are still thinking about you. This past September, Maine held the fall NTC Conference in So. Portland. We dedicated the conference to you. Of course, the conference was a huge success and I owe a lot of the credit to you. There was no doubt that that you were guiding us the entire way. Plus, I noticed a few of the bottles of spirit in the hospitality suite slightly lower in the morning then they were the night before!
God bless you Skip, you are so missed.

Sgt Mike Edes
Maine State Police
2008-01-19

It's always funny calling you Skip because I always knew you as Floyd because of my dad, Danko. I'll always remember being a punk kid in the Copper Hills in Globe-Miami when you and your partner would pull up in your big Guzzis for lunch or dinner.

Although I hadn't seen you in years I always asked about you from the other DPS officers that I knew, and was proud of how everyone respected you so much, and how your career had flourished.

The day you passed, I told my dad and he cried. He really liked you, and frankly I don't know anyone that didn't.

Dan Gurovich
Long-time friend
2007-11-18

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
2007-11-14

I remember when Skip taught the Title 28 Class at the Academy, I was in Class 31. He would make the class fun to be in. He was funny and a very big man. One day In Dist 5 Office, we heard Skip Call for a back up, well everyone stopped and ran to their vehicles and I think we emptyed out the District Office, our thinking was, as big as Skip was, if he needed a back up, he was going to need all of us. Skip, you will be missed by all that knew you. Thanks for the good times at D-5.
Steve Crane

Steve Crane (AZDPS 2175)
DoD Police (Ret)
2007-09-20

I miss you so much pop! At times it seems you are with me and its hard to believe and accept you are gone! You were my rock, mentor and more than anything, my Father! Thanks for the memories pop! Not many people can say they got to put on the same uniform and experience the pride of seeing a fathers face seeing a son do the same job! 940 FOREVER!

M. J. Fink
AZDPS
2007-03-25

Skip always would never admit that he took the time to play Barbie's with me as a child when he would visit. He was always a sweet and caring man who loved kids. He was an honorable and good man!

Kristina Schmidt
Daughter of Allan Schmidt
2007-03-21

Rest in Peace, Officer Fink. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

2007-03-14

Skip-
How can I ever forget our first meeting in 1971 when you were still with Globe PD and in the DPS hiring process. You came up to visit my sergeant and you rode with me working I-40 east of Winslow. We stopped a stolen vehicle and the driver fled. I caught him at the right of way fence and was cuffing him when I heard that big booming voice of yours commanding a passenger, "Don't even ###%&+? think about it!" We took both into custody and that's when our friendship began. Once you were on the DPS, we worked together often in D-5. You were always working hard. You were undoubtably the most naturally, physically strong man I ever met. Coupled with your personality, you made one helluva cop. I probably still have welts on my neck from your fingers grabbing me from behind! Skip, may you rest in peace, brother.

Sarge

Sergeant Colin Peabody, Retired
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2007-02-22

Skip,

It's hard to believe it's been 7 years today since you gave your life for the citizens of Arizona. I am sure you are in heaven cracking jokes to anyone who will listen. We won't forget you.

Rest in peace brother,

Jeff

Sergeant Jeff Lee (retired)
Wash. State Patrol
2007-02-18

How, anyone, in 28 short years could touch so many lives, always leaves me amazed. Your stories, your banter, and your freindship will always be remembered. You're with Russ, now, and who knows what trouble you two are into! Thanks for the memories you left with us all.

Officer Chris Drummond
freind/co worker
2006-08-24

Skip; You were a hero and a friend. When my brother and I were new to NTC and attending the California conference we knew no one...weren't sure what to expect. As we were walking in to register this loud voices shouts out "Its those %$#@ing Idaho boys, bought time you got here!" It was the start of some fun times and fun memories. We keep you in our hearts always. Ked has moved on to one of those cushy Lt. jobs at headquarters while I am doing truck enforcement. All of us who ever had the privilage of knowing you have fond memories. Keep the roads safe for us Skip and rest in peace.

Cpl. Kip Wills
Idaho State Police
2006-06-11

Skip, it has been almost six years since you left us. Everyday when I see a DPS motor I think of you. I remember many things that we did as young officers and you backing me up in Tempe when I needed help. You are a friend and fellow motor who was always there to help. I still remember the time you gave me some winter gloves while I was shaking from the cold on my motor under SR. 143. I still have them and will always keep them. You are missed my friend and like you always told me, "Keep both wheels upright."

E. Wells
Tempe PD retired
2005-12-08

Skip, I was a rookie officer right off FTO working the graveyard shift when I first met you back in 1994. You have forgotten more about being a cop that I will ever know. It was an honor for me to have met you because you were a true road cop, not the ones these days who work patrol for two years then go off into administration or cushy assigment positions for the rest of thier careers. You are the definition of a true old school patrol cop (The backbone of law enforcement). Not one day goes by that I don't think of you. May you rest in peace Skip, your memory will live forever.

Fellow officer and friend
Chandler Police Department
2005-06-13

We put your picture up on our memorial wall at the office today, right next to Russell's and Mark's. Sometimes I think Mark went to heaven simply to keep things in line, what with you and Russell already there. Rest in peace, Skip.

Renee Mitchell
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2005-04-29

Although I have never met you Skip, you must have been one fantastic person and parent. I did have the pleasure of meeting one of your sons, M.J. Fink and I have no doubt you are very proud of him. He is an utmost professional trooper but is compassionate when dealing with the public. I have tried to instill some of the outstanding ethics you have apparently instilled into your children and I will make sure they know we are missing another heroe.

Detective Matt Misener
Madison WI Police Department
2005-03-29

What a senseless act of violence you endured. It is all to familiar to me as my husband was killed by a speeding pick-up truck (driver under the influence of drugs) while parked on the side of the highway finishing up paperwork. Both you and my husband were mentioned in an article by Craig Floyd with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

God bless you, your family, friends and co-workers.

Jennifer Aaron
Wife of Ofc. Duke G. Aaron, III (EOW 07/20/04)
2005-02-25

Skip,
Seems like just yesterday we were attending the NTC Conference in California together. Little did I know that was going to be the last time I saw you.
To me, you were the inspiration of what a trooper, union president and what a man should be. There isn't a national conference that goes by that one of us doesn't talk about you and some funny thing you did.
Although I think you really were a northerner at heart, I really appreciate you breaking me into the traditions of the west. I found that I do like spicy foods, but they don't like me.(Thanks alot Skip!)
I found a photo of us at the Amtrak station in Washington DC while we attended Police Week the May before we lost you. It brought a tear to my eye and yet, a smile to my face. I printed it in the Maine Trooper magazine. I titled the photo, "Remembering A Hero". It was titled that way because thats what you were and are to many of us across the country. God bless you Skip and please keep a watch over those of us still out on patrol.

Sgt. Mike Edes
Maine State Police
2005-01-14

You will never be forgotten. I remember riding w/you at one time & enjoyed it. You were always fun to work with on the radio.

dispatcher kevin kesler
AZ DPS
2004-09-18