FLORENCE, KY — An off-duty Florence police officer died Friday night after exchanging gunfire with Boone County Sheriff’s deputies who had responded to a domestic violence call, according to authorities.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were sent to a home in the 8600 block of Lely Court in Oakbrook after reports that shots had been fired there earlier in the evening.
When deputies arrived, they found 37-year-old Dustin Zink displaying a weapon and threatening to harm himself and others.
How the Confrontation Unfolded
Officers attempted to talk Zink down, but the situation escalated when he began firing his weapon multiple times at the scene. Four deputies then returned fire, striking Zink just before 11 p.m.
Officers rendered aid at the scene until paramedics arrived. Zink was rushed to a hospital in Florence, where he was pronounced dead. The Boone County Coroner’s Office said it was notified of his death around 11:40 p.m.
None of the deputies involved were injured, and Kentucky State Police confirmed Zink was an off-duty officer with the Florence Police Department. As is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings in Kentucky, KSP has taken over the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Department Mourns “Dedicated Officer”
The Florence Police Department issued a statement Saturday afternoon expressing sorrow over Zink’s death, describing him as a committed officer whose service extended beyond his uniform. The department said it could not discuss details of the investigation but stated that “one moment does not define a person.”
Officials asked the community to keep Zink’s family, friends, and fellow officers in their thoughts during what they called an incredibly difficult time.
Zink had been recognized in the past for his work as a K9 officer alongside his canine partner, Atos. In 2022, the department highlighted an assignment in which Zink helped a New York woman locate her late sister’s vehicle, which had been left in the Florence area.
The woman had reached out for help handling her sister’s estate, and Zink and Atos tracked down and returned the van. In gratitude, she sent the department a care package of steaks, and the post at the time praised Zink for going above and beyond to help someone during a period of grief.
Friday’s shooting adds Zink to a growing number of officer-involved shooting cases under review by Kentucky State Police this year. Investigators have not released further details about what led up to the initial reports of shots fired at the residence, nor has a motive been disclosed for Zink’s actions before deputies arrived.
Community members and colleagues within the Florence Police Department are said to be grieving the loss, with the agency emphasizing Zink’s years of service and character despite the circumstances of his death.
No additional information about funeral or memorial arrangements has been released as of Saturday evening.
The investigation by Kentucky State Police is expected to determine whether the deputies’ use of force was justified under the circumstances, a standard review conducted after every officer-involved shooting in the state. Authorities have not indicated when findings might be made public.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available from Kentucky State Police and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
