My partner Captain Randy Trinkle, of Austin/Travis County EMS Special Operations and Texas Task Force 1 was killed on his way home from work last Saturday after a 48hr shift which included a USAR exercise. He was a 15 year veteran and served as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer, Technical Search Specialist, and Special Operations Paramedic. The wreck happened less than a mile from his home in Fredericksburg after an hour and a half long drive, we believe it is likely that fatigue from his shift downtown contributed. Attached are a sampling of photos by members of our department.
Captain Randy Trinkle
Swiftwater Boat Squad Training
His group of Texas Task Force 1 Helicopter Rescue Swimmers for the Katrina Deployment
Randy burning heavy steel as a refresher for our USAR team
Our USAR Urban Shield exercise
Med-Rescue 17, our station
The procession to Fredericksburg
Our Honor Guard’s patch
Randy’s Casket, all member’s of the Special Operations division placed their ribbons on the casket.
Ironman8 not right now though I hope to be at some point, I am just a Tech Search Specialist on our Heavy Rescue unit, a number of our guys are though.
Ok I was wondering if you knew my uncle, Anthony Tortorice? He was HFD for about 30 yrs and retired as a Captain and was a member of Task Force 1 SAR team (I believe he was also pretty high ranking there as well). Went to 9/11, Katrina, ect. Unfortunately he was one of those who came up with lung cancer after 9/11. He passed last year.
Condolences to his family and team mates and to you as well NinjaMedic.
I don’t mean this to sound odd in any way but thank you for sharing this. He will be remembered and it’s nice to know men are out there like him on watch for the rest of us. May Captain Trinkle rest in peace.
