FHP, Community, Gather to Mourn, Honor Trooper Zachary Fink
On February 12, hundreds gathered to mourn and honor the life of Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Zachary Fink during a memorial service attended by family and friends, fellow troopers as well as law enforcement officers from Florida and beyond. Governor Ron DeSantis, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and members of the Florida Cabinet, along with Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, House Speaker Paul Renner, and other elected and appointed officials also joined to honor Fink who was killed on February 2nd while in pursuit of a dangerous fugitive on Interstate 95 in south Florida, along with truck driver Arsenio Mas, 55, of Homestead.
“He made a decision to put on the uniform and volunteer his services in order to serve his community,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. He knew by putting on that uniform “he may have to, not just risk his life, but even give his life for the safety of others. He made the choice to dedicate his life to putting service to his community above himself.”
Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze, II, expressed his appreciation to fellow law enforcement officers and the community for their support.
“The ultimate sacrifice is in life. It’s not in death,” noting that this sacrifice extends to the friends and loved ones of law enforcement officers, “The ultimate sacrifice is not being able to have breakfast with your fiancé on February 2, not having your friend fishing with you the morning after he finishes his tour of duty, and not receiving a return phone call from your son when you had to go to work early and cut the conversation a little bit short.”
Colonel Howze detailed that Trooper Fink had the desire help people since he was a boy, “Zach was living his dream every day as a Florida State Trooper.”
Governor DeSantis ordered the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff on the day of his memorial to honor his service.
Our condolences to the Fink family and his many friends.