Police Fund For Family Of Officer From Solano Co. Killed in I-80 Crash Exceeds Goal In One Day

BAY AREA, CA – The Bay Area law enforcement community is mourning the loss of one of their own Friday, a local police officer who was tragically killed in the North Bay on Interstate 80.

Officer William "Ken" Zink died Thursday morning when he collided with a big rig and car while on his motorcycle in Vallejo and on his way to work.

Zink, 53, worked for the San Pablo Police Department and lived in Dixon. He was was riding west on a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle between a Nissan Titan in one lane and a Freightliner truck with a flatbed trailer in another lane around 6:25 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer David Harvey said.

Zink was ejected and struck by the big-rig after his motorcycle collided with the Nissan. He was pronounced dead at 6:45 a.m., authorities said.

Zink served as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard and the El Cerrito Police Department before heading to San Pablo, according to San Pablo Police Cmdr. Brian Bubar. Zink achieved the rank of Master Officer and held several positions in the department.

"Ken had a passion and a true knack for narcotic enforcement," according to a fundraiser page coordinated by the San Pablo Police Employees Association. "Not only Contra Costa County, but the State of California and beyond were positively affected by his efforts."

Zink was named Officer of the Year by his peers in 2010, and in 2012 received the Al Stewart Award, the most prestigious award from the California Narcotics Officer Association.

Zink said his most rewarding role was his last assignment, as a school resource officer at Helms Middle School, Bubar said.

"Ken carried all the qualities one could ask for in a police officer: patience, compassion, kindness," Bubar said in a statement. "Ken is considered irreplaceable by all who knew him."

Zink is survived by seven children.

The San Pablo Police Employees Association on Thursday launched a GoFundMe account with a $10,000 goal to assist Zink's family. As of Friday late afternoon, $19,295 has been raised.

"With the listed achievements and the dangerous clientele that Ken dealt with on the streets, one might assume that he was a hard-nosed and unapproachable cop. Ken was the exact opposite," the fundraising page states. "If Ken noticed that you were having a rough day, he would greet you with hugs, smiles and words of encouragement; not just other officers but everyone.

"Ken Zink was a prime example of a positive and productive member of society," the page continues. "If all of us accomplished even a fraction of his good deeds, the world would be a better place."

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN.

– Bay City News Service and Renee Schiavone contributed to this report / Photos courtesy of San Pablo Police Department/GoFundMe campaign