On Monday at approximately 11:15 p.m., officers were engaged in a pursuit that began near Southcrest and Kent roads after the vehicle had been reported stolen in New Haven. The chase entered the rivergreenway near the Candlelite Apartments near Fairfield Avenue and Paulding Road. Officer David A. Tinsley, 50, entered the greenway path on foot with his officer in training. Tinsley, his partner and a K9 officer began searching the area on foot, and officers apprehended 49-year old Patrick Anthony Faiers of Fort Wayne in a wooded area just off the greenway where he had crashed the vehicle he had been driving.

On the way back to his police cruiser, Tinsley collapsed. He was taken to local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Faiers has been charged with being an habitual traffic violator and resisting law enforcement, both felonies.

In a statement, Mayor Tom Henry said the entire city is mourning Tinsley’s death. “Officer Tinsley passed away while serving and protecting our community. (He) was a respected and valued member of the FWPD team, and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Tinsley family during this most difficult time. We’re fortunate to live in a community that appreciates and understands the important role that law enforcement has in our everyday lives. We’re a safer and stronger city because of the men and women of the FWPD,” Henry said.

Henry said flags in the city of Fort Wayne remain at half-staff until the conclusion of Tinsley’s funeral. Funeral details are pending.