The Passing of David C. Brinkerhoff '99

     It is with the deepest regret that we inform you of the recent passing of our Friend and Brother, NYS Trooper David C. Brinkerhoff '99. David, or Brink as he was best known, was a dedicated member of Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance Service while a student at the University at Albany. Brink also served as the company's Director of Operations. Brink was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 25, 2007 during the search for fugitive Travis Trim, wanted in connection with the attempted homicide of another New York State Trooper that occurred on April 24, 2007.

David is survived by his wife Barbara and his 7-month old daughter Isabella Grace.

State Police in Catskill set up an account for the family. Donate through any branch of the Bank of Greene County or make checks to:

Brinkerhoff Family
Bank of Greene County
Attn: Brinkerhoff Family Account
Box 470, Catskill, NY 12414

Please pray for our departed Brother Brink as well as all of our department members. Brink is missed.

Our Memories of Brink

   Ron Casey (President, 1996-97): "It brings back so many memories as I read each of these posts. I spent so many shifts with Dave that it's hard for me to pick out just one moment to share. I will always remember Dave for his strength of character, his loyalty, his friendship and of course his wittiness that ALWAYS made me laugh.

     I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and retold memories that I continue to see online and in the papers from past and current Five Quad members. I am honored to have belonged to an organization that has so many members who stand for the very qualities that Dave lived by every day.

     May God Bless Dave's family, his fellow Troopers, our friend Brett, and every one of you that continue to put your lives on the line every day."

     Adam McCarey: "Dave and I used to run the long Friday 40/43 shifts for a while, To get to drive for Dave you had better be a damn good driver with driver trainer certified and snow driver certified and take him around the [Indian] lake all the way without hitting anything in the new A-2 (wide tire one) If you did, well you know...I am so glad that I got to work with him then and I will miss him greatly now and forever!"

     Jon Laico '97: "Dave will be missed by many. I remember the Ice Storm of ’98 and the interview he did with Fox23 before the crew departed for Upstate NY. Dave was the DO (Director of Operations) at the time and classes were out of session. I wish I had a copy of that footage. He was so funny in front of the camera."

     Robert Velenage: "The Shock is to say the least overwhelming. We are exposed to a field where this is always a possibility, but no one ever prepares adequately when something like this happens. For the current student members, the name David Brinkerhoff is an echo of the recent past. But for the Alumni, his name is spoken in the way you would mention a brother. I regret that I was not as close as some were to Dave. But I did spend a couple of semesters as his driver. I can count on one hand the number of people that I have seen come and go in this Organization, that were truly noteworthy. By their skills, professionalism, and maturity they left a lasting impression. Dave was just such a person. Those who were on board during his tenure as DO, should probably remember when he pushed to order the Squad Jackets. Certain parties tried to argue that the American flag should not be sewn on the jackets, but Dave stuck to his guns and the flags were placed where they belonged. You might not have always agreed with his policies, or the decisions he made, but you always knew where you stood with him. And, that he wasn't going to play mind games, or immerse himself into the Soap Opera that is often Five Quad. I pray (yes that is correct. I said Pray) for his Family, his Wife, and the Child who had him stolen away so early in their life. I pray for his Colleagues, and his friends, close, and distant. The Voice may now be silent, but the Spirit will Echo."

     Erica Barna: "I have been away, and just heard the news as I checked my email at the airport. While I wasn't the most active member at Five Quad, and often felt in the beginning that I did not fit in perfectly, Dave is the one who changed that. The shift time we spent together was an inspiration, and just thinking back to our small ski trip, with Brett and how he accepted me as a friend and colleague... It shocking, and my heart pours out to his family, and his closest friends, my deepest condolences, and best wishes."