FORKS — The U.S. Forest Service office in Forks has been inundated with phone calls from people from around the United States expressing sorrow over the death of Forest Service Officer Kristine Fairbanks.
Cynthia Bork, Forest Service spokesperson in Forks, said the office has received more than 30 phone calls since Sunday from ormer and current Forest Service employees who had worked with Fairbanks during her 22-year career, as well as community members who knew her.
They all expressed shock and sadness at the fatal shooting of the 51-year-old Forks resident on Saturday.
“She was a very positive, very dedicated employee,” Bork said.
“She was a joy to work with.”
The office also has received a few bouquets, which Bork said should be sent to the Harper-Ridgeview Funeral Chapel, 105. W. Fourth St., Port Angeles, for the Fairbanks family.
A tribute page to Fairbanks can be found on the Olympic National Forest Web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic .
Fairbanks is survived by her husband, Brian, a Fish and Wildlife officer; her 15-year-old daughter, Whitney; and her father, John Willits of Port Angeles.
An 24-hour honor watch is in place at the funeral home until a memorial service for Fairbanks at 1 p.m. Monday at Civic Field.
Bork said Fairbanks was known in the Forest Service for her expertise in K-9 handling and timber theft and other forestry issues.
It was common for other regional Forest Service offices to call on Fairbanks for her assistance, she said.
As of 2007, Fairbanks was the only Forest Service officer in the state with a K-9 partner, and one of 40 in the United States.
