KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Reactions continue to pour in locally and from across the state related to the death of Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Proxmire. He passed away Sunday from injuries sustained Saturday night during a police pursuit in which shots were fired. The suspect was killed in that incident.
Joey Bird of T&J Towing helped organize a vigil Sunday evening, shortly after the news of the passing of Deputy Proxmire. He spoke to WOOD-TV.
“It’s a brotherhood. I mean, you combine police, fire, EMS, and towing, and the amazing residents of this county who have come out. It’s just a huge family.”
Hundreds of law enforcement, fire, and EMT officials, among others, gathered for a vigil Sunday evening shortly following the death of Deputy Ryan Proxmire who was injured in the line of duty Saturday night. Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller spoke to and thanked the crowd. He says more will be announced in the coming days, but that for the moment, words can not express this devastating loss to the community…
“Whatever we say tonight pales in comparison to our loss of our hero, our father, our friend, our husband, a brother, and a son. I thank you all for being here tonight.”
Sheriff Fuller also spoke on the emotions of seeing the hundreds who gathered to pay their tributes…
“Look to your left and look to your right, and remember it’s a team. It’s a team that gets families through these things. It’s a team that gets a community through these things. And it’s a team that we have to rely on. So remember your team.”
It began when Sheriff’s Deputies entered the Shell gas station on 35th Street, off of I-94 in Galesburg. Deputy Proxmire was shot during a pursuit after the suspect pointed a gun and took off from that gas station. The suspect eventually lost control of his vehicle and went off the road in a field near 44th Street and Q Avenue in Climax Township. He again shot at deputies, who returned fire and killed him. The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect was previously involved in an earlier chase with other police officers. The nature of the crimes has not been disclosed along with the name of the suspect.
Deputy Proxmire was assigned to the road patrol but has also served Kalamazoo County residents and the Sheriff’s Office with his work in the Jail Division, even filling in as a temporary Sergeant when needed. The department called him an experienced and professional officer, saying Deputy Proxmire shared his skills with other officers in his role as a field training officer, Taser instructor, and subject control/defensive tactics instructor. Proxmire was a 1999 graduate of Three Rivers High School.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a statement Sunday evening upon learning of the death of Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Proxmire.
“Deputy Proxmire’s death from wounds suffered in a shooting last night should remind us of the danger law enforcement officers face every single day on the job. Like his colleagues in uniform, Deputy Proxmire pledged to protect and serve his community. Today he paid that commitment with his life – the ultimate sacrifice. His family and friends must live with that sacrifice for the rest of their lives. Deputy Proxmire served his community with honor and dignity and will always be remembered for his courage.”
Monday morning, Governor Gretchen Whitmer also issued a statement.
“Our state is heartbroken with the loss of Deputy Ryan J. Proxmire. Every day, Deputy Proxmire put on his uniform to make a difference in his community and keep families safe. This weekend, he made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty — a debt that can never be repaid. We must honor his memory and life of public service through our words and our actions. There’s no doubt that Deputy Proxmire was a staple in Kalamazoo County, and his passing leaves a tremendous hole in the hearts of so many people who had the chance to know him personally. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and fellow officers through this difficult time.”
Governor Whitmer added that she plans to lower U.S. and Michigan flags throughout the state of Michigan on the date of interment or another date chosen by the family.
In addition, Acting City Manager for the City of Portage Adam D. Herringa released a statement Monday afternoon on behalf of the city.
The Portage Public Safety Department had been the first agency to make contact with the suspect in this case.
“On behalf of the Portage City Council and City of Portage employees, I offer condolences and sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of slain Kalamazoo County Sheriff Deputy, Ryan J. Proxmire. We are all shocked and deeply saddened at the events that took the life of Deputy Proxmire in the line of duty. At this difficult time, we reflect on the sacrifices that law enforcement officers everywhere make every day as they put their lives on the line to protect our safety. Deputy Proxmire gave his life to serve and protect the people of Kalamazoo County and he will forever be remembered for this ultimate sacrifice.”
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s office says the death of Deputy Ryan Proxmire is only the second in the history of their department where a member died in the line of duty.
The other one happened over 160 years ago. In December 1857, Kalamazoo County Sheriff Benjamin Franklin Orcutt was killed by gunfire.
Additionally, Officer Eric Zapata with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) was shot and killed in April 2011.
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