Law enforcement community honors fallen FHP Trooper Zachary Fink
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Dozens of law enforcement vehicles took part in a somber procession for a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who was killed Friday while trying to detain a fleeing felon in St. Lucie County.
Trooper Zachary Fink, 26, is a three-year veteran of the FHP and started his career in Orlando before recently transferring to his hometown of Port St. Lucie.
Florida Highway Patrol/Eric Pasquarelli/WPTV
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Zachary Fink was killed in the line of duty while pursuing a fleeing felon, Feb. 2, 2024, in St. Lucie County.
“Trooper Fink’s family relayed to us that, at age 6, he told his mom, his stepmother, that, you know, mom, I just want to help people,” FHP Col. Gary Howze said. “Today, he was living his dream doing just that as a Florida state trooper.”
Howze said Fink leaves behind a fiancée, father and stepfather.
“Our hearts go out to the family of FHP Trooper Zachary Fink, who was killed in the line of duty while attempting to detain a fleeing felon in St. Lucie County,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on social media.
Our hearts go out to the family of FHP Trooper Zachary Fink, who was killed in the line of duty while attempting to detain a fleeing felon in St. Lucie County.@CaseyDeSantis and I are praying for the Fink family and the entire FHP community. pic.twitter.com/iWYuKqrkZF
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 2, 2024
Investigators said Fink collided with a semi-truck on I-95, south of Crosstown Parkway, just before 3 a.m. while trying to pursue a person in a white Kia who was driving recklessly and speeding.
Fink was airlifted to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, where he was pronounced deceased.
A group of four law enforcement officers on motorcycles led a procession as an ambulance carrying Fink’s body left the hospital just before 10:30 a.m. Friday.
Dozens of FHP and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office cruisers then followed behind the ambulance.
WATCH: Video of procession for FHP Trooper Zachary Fink
Procession for Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Zachary Fink, killed in I-95 wreck
The ambulance was driven to the…
