March 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 3

AROUND THE COUNTRY PORT

AROUND THE COUNTRY PORT ST. LUCIE, FL. Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Zachary Fink was killed while trying to apprehend a fleeing felon on I-95 near Port St. Lucie. A man accused of fleeing a authorities said. traffic stop on a Florida interstate faces multiple homicide 30-year-old Michael Anthony The suspect -- identified as charges after a state trooper Addison -- was booked into the and semi-truck driver were St. Lucie County Jail on multiple killed during the ensuing pursuit, counts of felony homicide, ag- authorities said. gravated flee to elude with se- Florida Highway Patrol rious injury or death and driving Trooper Zachary Fink, 26, was without a license causing trying to apprehend a fleeing death, among other charges, felon who was driving recklessly in St. Lucie County early Saturday. the Florida Highway Patrol said Friday. The suspect refused to It is unclear if he has an attorney. stop and led Fink on a pursuit, authorities said at a news conference “This tragedy could have been TROOPER ZACHARY FINK Friday. prevented if Michael Addison The suspect then made an followed the rule of law and Motor Vehicles, said. abrupt turn and started driving complied with law enforcement,” “After speaking with his fam- in the wrong direction on the St. Lucie County Sheriff ily, I can say that Trooper Fink interstate, authorities said. Fink Keith Pearson said in a statement Saturday. “Thanks to ida State trooper when a felon was living his dream as a Flor- also turned around in an effort to apprehend him and warn the combined efforts of law tragically took his life,” added other drivers, authorities said. enforcement, he will be held Col. Gary Howze of the Florida PRICE REDUCED But once Fink turned, he collided with an 18-wheeler semi- Fink, a three-year veteran sponder, sacrifice is not new; it accountable for his actions.” Highway Patrol. “As a first re- truck driver. Both Fink and the of the highway patrol, leaves is daily and experienced while truck driver died from their behind his fiancée, father and living, when missing breakfast injuries, authorities said. stepmother, authorities said. with family, or when at work The suspect eventually “Trooper Fink is a hero who instead of with family. We appreciate Trooper Fink’s sacrifice crashed his car into a tree and died while helping people, fled the scene on foot, authorities something he was passionate and know that the people of said. A manhunt ensued about since the age of six,” Florida are safer because of his and the suspect was taken into Dave Kerner, executive director commitment to keeping them custody at about 8 a.m. Friday, of Florida Highway Safety and safe.” 28 The Blues - March ‘24 The Blues - March ‘24 29