Sandy MaloneGalesburg, MI – Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Proxmire died on Sunday after he was shot by a suspect during a high-speed chase on Saturday night.
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office said the incident began when deputies encountered the suspect at a gas station in Galesburg, WLNS reported.
The suspect was reportedly involved in a chase earlier in the day with another law enforcement agency from a neighboring jurisdiction.
Authorities said the suspect pointed a gun at deputies at the gas station and then got into his vehicle and fled, WLNS reported.
He opened fire on the deputies pursuing him during the chase and shot Deputy Proxmire, which caused his patrol vehicle to go off the road near MN Avenue and 38th Street in Charleston Township, south of Galesburg.
Sheriff’s department officials said that the suspect later lost control of his vehicle and drove into a field in Climax Township, WWMT reported.
Officials said the suspect got out of his vehicle and started shooting at them.
Deputies returned fire and fatally shot the suspect, WLNS reported.
The gunman died at the scene.
A passerby saw Deputy Proxmire’s vehicle in the field and stopped to help him, WOOD reported.
The good Samaritan called 911 for help.
Deputy Proxmire was transported to Bronson Methodist Hospital in “extremely critical condition” and succumbed to his wounds on Sunday, WOOD reported.
Authorities have not yet released the name of the gunman who killed him, WLNS reported.
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office said Deputy Proxmire had been assigned to road patrol but had previously served in Jail Division, “even filling in as a temporary Sergeant when needed.”
Deputy Proxmire was a Field Training officer, a Taser instructor, and a subject control/defensive tactics instructor, WLNS reported.
A ceremony was held on Sunday evening to honor the fallen hero, organized by Joey Bird, the owner of a tow truck company who had worked with Deputy Proxmire at a number of emergency scenes, WWMT reported.
“It’s pretty amazing. I’m so glad that we got enough people,” Bird said. “There’s more people that are on the way. My phone is going crazy right now.”
A massive number of first responder vehicles and tow trucks lined the roadway and all turned on their emergency lights on at 9 p.m. on Aug. 15, WWMT reported.
HAPPENING NOW: Hundreds of people gather outside the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office to pay their respects to Deputy Ryan Proxmire, who was shot and killed during a high-speed chase Saturday evening. I will have details from the moving tribute, tonight at 10 and 11. pic.twitter.com/xi976D3a01
— Chris Yu WWMT (@ChrisYuWWMT) August 16, 2021
Those who knew Deputy Proxmire reminisced about him at the memorial.
“He was a very funny guy,” Bird told WWMT. “I talked to a lot of my deputy friends that are close to him, and they said he was a very loving, caring guy. Thank you for your service and, I don’t know, Godspeed. We will definitely miss you, that’s for sure.”
Deputy Proxmire graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1999, where he was a member of the football team, WWMT reported.
“Amongst you tonight, you have volunteers, you have emergency responders, you have retirees from not just the sheriff’s office,” Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller told the crowd assembled on Sunday night. “It’s a team that gets families through these things. It’s a team that gets the community through these things. And it’s a team that we have to rely on.”
Michigan State Police are investigating the deputy-involved shooting, WOOD reported.
Our condolences and prayers are extended to the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Ryan J. Proxmire of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/LJe6o88Dsa
— Novi Police Department (@novipolice) August 15, 2021
Our hearts are broken for our brothers and sisters of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Ryan Proxmire succumbed to his injuries after being shot during a vehicle pursuit. Please keep Deputy Proxmire, his family, and his law enforcement family in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/Z8IhwpanmM
— Kent County Sheriff's Office (@KentSheriff) August 16, 2021
Candles still burn for fallen Kalamazoo County Deputy Ryan Proxmire.
Loved ones, friends and colleagues are remembering him for how he lived, his sacrifice and service to this community. @WOODTV pic.twitter.com/u5ysDyFrWf
— Donovan Long (@DonovanLongTV) August 16, 2021
Our hearts are heavy following the loss of Kalamazoo County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Proxmire. We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May he rest in peace and may his memory be a comfort to all who knew him. pic.twitter.com/X7N2cgHmm3
— FBI Detroit (@FBIDetroit) August 16, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Proxmire, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Deputy Ryan Proxmire, your life mattered.
Holly Matkin
