KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. — Kalamazoo County Sheriff Deputy Ryan Proxmire has passed away after being shot while on-duty Saturday night.
During the evening hours of Saturday, August 14, Deputies from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office made contacted with a suspect at the Shell gas station on 35th Street in Galesburg. The suspect had been involved in a pursuit early that evening with a neighboring agency. Upon contact, the suspect produced a handgun and pointed it at the Deputies. The suspect then entered a vehicle and fled southbound toward MN Avenue.
Kalamazoo County Deputies pursued the suspect vehicle in an attempt to bring the suspect into custody. During the pursuit, the suspect fired multiple rounds from his vehicle at the pursuing deputies. Deputy Proxmire was struck by the gunfire, causing the patrol vehicle to go off the road.
The remaining Sheriff’s Deputies continued the pursuit to the area of 44th Street near Q Avenue, where the suspect lost control of his vehicle and left the road, driving off into a field. Once in the open field, the suspect vehicle became stuck and immobilized. The suspect exited the vehicle and again shot at Sheriff’s Deputies. The Deputies returned fire, and the suspect died at the scene.
A passing motorist located the injured deputy, still in his patrol vehicle on the side of the road. The passing motorist called 911 and Proxmire was transported to the local hospital in critical condition.
Officials announced he died Sunday.
