Meet Jeanette Finicum
Jeanette Finicum’s husband, Robert ‘LaVoy’ Finicum was shot dead on Tuesday night as the militia standoff near Burns, Oregon, appeared to come to an end.
Since January 2, activists had been occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. During last night’s clash between protesters and federal officials, 55-year-old LaVoy Finicum and another occupation leader, Ryan Bundy, resisted orders to surrender, The Oregonian reported.
Finicum – along with militia leader Ammon Bundy and four other men – was stopped while driving down a rural highway outside of the refuge, according to the FBI. During the arrest, shots were fired, killing Finicum.
Famously, he had said in an interview with NBC News, earlier this month, that he would rather be killed than arrested saying, “I have no intention of spending any of my days in a concrete box. There are things more important than your life and freedom is one of them. I’m prepared to defend freedom.”
LaVoy Finicum described himself on social media: “Rancher, Loves Freedom and willing to fight and die defending it.”
He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Finicum, their 11 children including daughters Arianna Marie Brown, Thara Tenney, Catrielle Finicum, Tean Finicum, Challice Finicum Finch as well as a number of grandchildren.
According to her LinkedIn, Jeanette Finicum is a HCTC Theraputic Provider. She lists foster care provider as her full time job. Jeanette Finicum and her husband took under their wing 11 foster children.
They were kids the couple took in, troubled kids with criminal histories. During the standoff, Finicum complained that the state had taken away the children because of his high profile role with the militia.
Sharla Palmer posted to Facebook a heartfelt tribute for Janette’s husband
My heart goes out to Jeanette and her family, as well as Guy Finicum and his family. LaVoy was a gentle and powerful man. Not afraid to face death, not afraid to give his all to a cause he believed in. I honor him tonight, amidst the all the shame and scorn. LaVoy Finicum was a righteous man, and I was privileged to know and work with him and his family.
Jeanette’s husband became de facto spokesman for the small band of armed men. Since the occupation began he had been making headlines repeatedly. One of his daughters Arianna, said:
“My dad was such a good good man, through and through,” “He would never ever want to hurt somebody, but he does believe in defending freedom and he knew the risks involved.”
We send our condolences to Jeanette Finicum and the rest of LaVoy’s family and friends.
Cheryl Foldes says
Our prayers and sorrow on the loss of your father and husband. We see Robert Finicum as a man true to his convictions. A moral man, a father, a decent human being. We are living in tumultuous times where media and tyranny are mixed to the point that truth is obscured. I have followed this BLM and rancher’s movements and it is without doubt a tragedy that American citizens who are living on open lands can’t access and use these lands that are part of the America’s and it’s citizens. The BLM does controlled burns and so how is this crime of arson any different than what the government is doing themselves? Why aren’t these burns coordinated with the ranchers that also share territories in the West? Surely, killing a man for leaving the refuge was in the plan. This has become the norm as with Waco, Ruby Ridge and many other incidents where people seek their freedoms. We know that the government agencies will promote these men as terrorists when in fact, they are family men who live their dreams unlike most of us in a territory that was once vast lands and ranges and cowboy territory. Our American dreams of privacy and citizenry are being eroded by a far reaching government that has all the trickery and spin doctor’s to make the story spin out of control. I hope that this awakens citizens about how much our Bill of Rights and Constitution have been trampled upon. Rest in peace Lavoy Finicum, there are many of us that believe that your cause was worthy. Surely, many will watch and observe the use of these lands by the governments and will scrutinize the ability of the government to do things that are common folk deeds in comparison to what they allow the citizens in these lands to do. This agency has caused the deaths and destruction of families that seek only to live their lives and raise their cattle on lands that require vast areas to feed cattle. When these hard working people can’t feed the people and make a living, we’re all going to suffer. We’ve seen what the government does to help farmers, businesses and other private sectors haven’t we? I hope that people will stand behind the Bundy’s and fight for their release….how is it that they are called “arsonists” for doing the same burns that the bureau of land management does? I guess the negative terms are only relevant when it’s the opposition using the terms.
suzy herron says
Mrs. Finicum, Clearly a wrong has been done here. Those involved will have to live with this for all of their lives. I know that your husband is at peace and in great company. I am following this story with dismay and with ever greater disallusionment.
Nick Sewald says
Dear Mrs. Finicum,
We have followed your husband’s struggle to stand up for our freedoms and bring to light the corruption of various government agencies including the courts. God bless this brave soul. I wish I had that kind of courage.
I have always been a very patriotic person, but after seeing corruption day in and day out with fast and furious, the I.R.S. Benghazi, personal servers, and the courts, AND PEOPLE GETTING AWAY WITH IT. Then to see an honest, hard working person, protecting our freedoms murdered in cold blood!!!! Too much to take. Ammon Bundy and your husband were on their way to a meeting to resolve this situation peacefully when they were ambushed. The government never wanted them to attend that meeting. I am so ashamed of this leadership or lack there of. Personally, I don’t hold much hope for our patriots getting a fair trial. not from what we’ve seen so far.
God be with you and your family.
Nick Sewald