In Memorium: Kris Fairbanks
Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Kris Fairbanks was shot and killed by a convicted felon Saturday. Fairbanks was a certified canine officer with 15 years in the USFS. She leaves behind a teenage daughter and her husband, a Fish and Wildlife officer. See [here] for a press report.
Don Svetich, Engine Captain and Forest Protection Officer on the Olympic National Forest sent the following email to friends:
It is with very heavy heart that I write this note.
Yesterday, Sept 20, 2008 a friend, co-worker, partner and protector was killed in the line of duty.
I will miss Kris Fairbanks. She and I worked together on a regular bases, Kris and her K-9 partner Radar, were there to control the situation and to cover my back when I needed it most. (The same goes for the other LEOs that work on the Forest.)
I will miss her love of the Forest and her job, the energy she put into it and her desire to serve the people who visited the Olympic National Forest. Thanks Kris! for keeping this fat old man out of deeper crap, thanks for the memories.
Please keep Kris and her family in your thoughts and prayers!To all Forest LEOs, thank you for the job you are willing do, thanks for being there when most are not.
Thanks for backing us up when we need it!!
Thanks again Forest 951, I will miss you !!
It’s dedicated public servants like Kris that are “on point” for the public as they watch out for our natural resources and public safety. And they take on many other roles that few hear of, one of which is oversight for large gatherings and protection of our Line Officers, but they are always behind the scenes preferring to be unseen and lost amongst the many faces, yet there to do their duty in a moment’s notice.
I applaud Kris and her colleagues for all that they do each and every day. We will most certainly miss her and our hearts go out to her family and fellow officers.
Ted Stubblefield, Olympic National Forest Supervisor (retired)
The murder of LEO Fairbanks saddens me greatly, and the circumstances make me wonder how many times I could have ended up in a similar situation in my own job as a state park ranger. I mourn for her family, friends and fellow officers, and for USFS Region 6 LE&I, which has lost a second fine officer in as many years.
Our prayers go out to Kris’ family and friends. And remember, it may sound trite, but be careful out there.
Two people were murdered that day, both of them innocents in the face of a ticking time bomb of a person who finally went off. His own family was relieved at his death, but what a shame that he took two innocent people with him. From the comments of those who knew Kris Fairbanks, it sounds like we are all the poorer for her death, that she was one very special LEO, wife, mom and friend. My prayers are with each of you and with Kris’ family.
by Minde C.
Thank you for your comment. You really hit a chord when you said that “we are all the poorer for her death”. She was a truly remarkable woman and I knew her for 30 years in the capacity of a “remarkable woman”. Kris and I were best friends until “death do us part”. There was no better explanation than that.
by K
Kris was my 4-H leader and a very special lady. I miss and love her soooooooooooooo much. I will never forget her. Thanks for all the nice comments.
I am truly saddened by this tragedy. As someone who worked closely with LEOs of the FS, I respect the deep dedication and commitment that each of them brings to their work. They had my back many times, and their presence was always a comfort to me, often allowing me to walk into or hold my ground in situations that were, quite frankly, frightening. May we never forget…