KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. — Kalamazoo County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Proxmire died Sunday evening after being critically injured in a chase earlier that day.
Proxmire had been responding to a suspect fleeing a gas station in Kalamazoo early Sunday morning. The suspect shot at responding deputies during the chase, striking Proxmire. He was in critical condition after the incident.
The sheriff's department says Proxmire was "an experienced and professional officer." He served as a deputy sheriff for the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office on road patrol. He also worked in the jail division and filled in as a temporary sergeant.
The department says Proxmire was an instructor, sharing his skills on field training, operating a Taser and subject control and defensive tactics.
Proxmire is the first Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office deputy killed on-duty since 1867, according to state data.
Across the state, politicians and officials are reacting to Proxmire's death.
"Heartbreaking to hear of the loss of Deputy Proxmire in Kalamazoo," Rep. Peter Meijer tweeted. "Please pray for his family and all those who loved him in this awful time."
"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," said Attorney General Dana Nessel in a release. "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."
The Three Rivers football team also shared their condolences in a tweet Sunday night, saying Proxmire was a 1999 graduate of the high school.
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office will release more information as it becomes available.
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