By Rick Badie of the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chamblee police Officer Robert Tink whistled when he went to work. He did whatever he was asked to do on his shift, and if told to do something once, the patrol officer figured the job was his for the duration.
"He was extremely motivated and always in a great mood," said Capt. Michael Beller, Tink's field training officer. "He would come in and do all the things the other officers didn't want to do, such as go get prisoner meals, feed prisoners and do transports from other counties. He had a servant's heart."
Family photo A funeral for Chamblee police Officer Robert "Bob" Everett Tink of Stone Mountain will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of A.S. Turner & Sons.
On Feb. 2, Robert "Bob" Everett Tink of Stone Mountain was in the gym working out when he experienced chest pains. He was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 67. A funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of A.S. Turner & Sons, which is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Tink was born in Montclair, N.J., an only child. Before he became a police officer, he was a certified public accountant who spent years working in the software and computer industry.
The Green Beret served two years in Vietnam with the U.S. Army's 5th Special Forces Group. He was awarded the combat infantryman badge and Bronze Star. He belonged to two Special Forces Association chapters, No. 33 in Cleveland, Tenn., and No. 59 in Atlanta.
As member of the South Carolina State Guard, he could be counted on if called, said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, the group's provost marshal.
"Whenever we had an assignment, he was there," he said. "He was very dedicated to the state guard and law enforcement in general."
In 1982, Tink met Lisa, his wife of 27 years, at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington. They moved to metro Atlanta and settled in Stone Mountain.
In 2005, Mr. Tink joined the Chamblee police department at age 62. He was believed to be one of the oldest active law enforcement officers in the state. Retirement was not something he even discussed, Capt. Beller said.
"He had no plans, ever, of leaving law enforcement," he said. "He was going to work this job. He was a conscientious, motivated officer."
A few years ago, the officer competed in the Georgia Police and Fire Games, an annual contest for law enforcement officers held in Hall County. He won his division because no one else entered in his age category.
"It's 10 minutes of strenuous activity," Capt. Beller said. "He won a gold medal. He was extremely fit. He's the last person anybody thought would have a heart attack."
Survivors include his wife, Lisa Tink of Stone Mountain, and other relatives.
