DPS is remembering a Fallen Trooper today. On this day in 2000, Trooper Floyd Fink had stopped an eastbound motorist on Highway-60 near McClintock Drive in Tempe, when his patrol car was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by 22-year old Robert Stavers of Mesa. Upon impact, Fink’s patrol car burst into flames, trapping him inside. Several people tried to rescue the officer, who had not yet removed his seatbelt, but were unable to do so until they doused the flames with personal extinguishers. Fink was pronounced dead about an hour later a Maricopa County Burn Unit. Stavers was charged with multiple charges including second-degree murder, and leaving the scene of a fatal crash. In December 2000, Stravers pled guilty to a charge of manslaughter. In March 2001, Stravers was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Fink was 53-years old.
