Gov. Gregoire addresses the memorial service of Officer Kristine Fairbanks

September 29, 2008

AS WRITTEN

Good Afternoon.

I�m honored to be invited to be here today to remember U.S. Forest Service Officer Kristine Fairbanks.

And I speak on behalf of all Washingtonians when I say we all share your sorrow at the loss of a beloved wife and mother, and at the loss of a dedicated law enforcement officer.

Brian and Whitney, (husband and daughter) and the entire family, please accept mine and Mike�s personal sorrow for your loss.

Brian is one of our own, an enforcement officer with our Department of Fish and Wildlife -- and one of the best. In fact, last year he was named �officer of the year� in the Marine Division.





And I want to express my condolences not only to Brian, but to all the men and women of his department -- as well as the entire law enforcement community in our state.

Losing an officer is the most difficult burden our law enforcement community can bear. They protect all of us every day, and as Washingtonians we owe them our sincerest gratitude, support and comfort.

I did not know Kris personally, but I wish I had. I�ve talked to many people who did, and I can clearly see that she was a remarkable woman.

Remarkable because�

�She was incredibly brave.

Working alone in the woods with just her police dog, Kris knew that trouble could barge in at any time � be it timber poachers or meth labs.

Yet she never hesitated, and she was a skilled guardian who protected people and our natural resources.



�And Kris was incredibly compassionate.

There is one story in which she stepped in to rescue two young girls in Forks from a domestic violence situation. And then she followed up, becoming a �second mom� for the girls, having them for dinner and buying them clothing and laptop computers � all out of her own pocket.

�Kris was inter-twined with the community in which she lived.

She knew everybody and they knew her. That is the true definition of a peace officer.

�Kris had a huge heart. She loved animals, and was known for her skill with dogs, including her police dog � Radar.

And she gave her time � and money � to lead the Forks 4-H dog club so she could pass onto kids the same love and respect for dogs she had.

Kris was the best our state had to offer. She was brave, strong, compassionate, and skillful.

Kris is taken from us now -- but we will remember that every single day of her life was devoted to making our forests safer and our communities stronger.

May her memory be a blessing always.