UNION CITY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Michigan State Police Trooper Dan Thayer says he owes his life to the body armor he was wearing the day he and other State Police tried to serve a search warrant at the home of 62-year-old David Kidney in Branch County’s Union Township last month. Thayer and another detective sergeant were shot during the incident at the residence on Francisco Road near Arborgast Road.
Kidney was a person of interest in the Duane Finney cold case murder investigation. Authorities say Kidney came out of his home shooting.
Thayer told WOOD-TV that the vest he was wearing was heavier than the one he normally wears under his shirt.
It worked so well, Thayer wasn’t initially aware that a rifle slug hit him square in the chest.
Detective Sgt. Aaron Steensma was shot in the collarbone is reportedly recovering at home. Kidney was killed by return fire from the troopers.
