Officer Charles Floyd Collins, II

Officer Charles Floyd Collins, II

United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, U.S. Government

End of Watch Sunday, July 11, 2010

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Charles Floyd Collins, II

Officer Charles Collins was killed in an automobile crash in Alaska while traveling between the Eagle Port of Entry and the Poker Creek Border Crossing.

He was driving on the Taylor Highway, near mile marker 114, when his vehicle left the roadway, went down a 200-foot embankment, and landed in the rain-swollen O'Brien Creek. A passerby who saw tracks down the embankment notified Alaska State Troopers, who started a massive search along with other state and federal agencies.

Officer Collins' body was recovered on August 15th, 2010.

Officer Collins was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the United States Customs Service - Office of Field Operations for eight years. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Bio

  • Age 56
  • Tour 8 years
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Automobile crash
  • Location Alaska

routine driving

Most Recent Reflection

View all 75 Reflections

I just discovered this site, recalling the name of my most pleasant meeting with Officer Collins just after the 2009 Yukon River flood when I was paddling the first 1000 mile canoe race from Whitehorse to the Dalton Bridge. I am sorry to be so late to post this remembrance.

I had spoken with Officer Collins by phone earlier before the race and we had an informative conversation about the upcoming canoe race and river conditions. We were required to stop at Eagle to show our passports during the race. He told me my team of 7 paddlers in a large voyageur canoe that we would be in and out within two minutes if we had our passports ready, with a very minimal time lost during the race. When we arrived at Eagle, he was so interesting to converse and spend some time with, we actually lingered about a half hour with him at the landing, discussing the recent record flood and the race. No other canoe passed us in the meantime.

I have a couple of photos of him and us that I could post if there is a place to do that.

I had heard about and was quite saddened by his unfortunate accident a year later, before our return to another race. He was sorely missed.

Paul Repak (USAF LtCol, Retired)
Adirondack Voyageurs canoe race team

February 2, 2023

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