8/16/21 - Community Holds Vigil to Honor Fallen Kalamazoo County Deputy

A Kalamazoo Deputy died after being wounded during a chase with a gunman.

KALAMAZOO, MI — (Mlive) - Emergency lights from dozens of police cruisers, fire trucks and tow trucks lit up the night sky as the sun set Sunday as law enforcement officers and their supporters gathered to honor fallen Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Proxmire.

Over a hundred people gathered outside the sheriff’s office on Lamont Street to remember Proxmire, who succumbed to his injuries earlier in the day.

At the start of the vigil, Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller spoke to the large crowd that gathered in the street.

“Whatever we say tonight pales in comparison to our loss of our hero, our father, our friend, our husband, brother and a son and I thank you all for being here tonight,” Fuller said.

At 9 p.m. Lamont avenue was filled with flashes of blue and red as the vehicle lights turned on to honor the fallen deputy.

Proxmire was shot by a suspect who was fleeing police Saturday night south of Galesburg in eastern Kalamazoo County. The suspect was later shot and killed by other sheriff’s deputies.

The sheriff’s office described Proxmire as an experienced officer who taught his skills to others as a field training officer, and instructor for Taser use, subject control and defensive tactics. He was assigned to road patrol but previously worked in the jail division and filled in as a temporary sergeant when needed.

The last police officer in Kalamazoo County to die in the line of duty was Eric Zapata, a Kalamazoo Public Safety officer who was fatally shot on April 18, 2011.

Prior to Zapata, an officer hadn’t been killed in the line of duty in Kalamazoo County since 1867, when Sheriff Benjamin Franklin Orcutt was killed.

Also Sunday, officials shared their condolences about Proxmire.

“Deputy Proxmire’s death earlier today from wounds suffered in a shooting last night should remind us of the danger law enforcement officers face every single day on the job,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement.

“Like his colleagues in uniform, Deputy Proxmire pledged to protect and serve his community,” Nessel added. “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.”

Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson wrote on Twitter, “I am deeply saddened about the passing of Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Proxmire, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our community. Thinking of his family, friends and colleagues during this time. A sad, sad moment and time for reflection.”

The incident began Saturday night when Kalamazoo County deputies were called to a gas station in Galesburg for reports of a suspect reportedly involved in a a chase earlier in the day with a neighboring law enforcement agency.

The suspect allegedly pointed a gun at the deputies when they arrived and then got into a vehicle and drove away.

During a chase, the sheriff's office said the suspect opened fire, wounding a deputy and causing the cruiser to go off the road.  Another driver stopped on the side of the road and called 911.         The deputy was identified as Ryan Proxmire.  On Sunday he died from his injuries.                                                                                                   

The sheriff's office said the suspect later lost control and drove off the road, got out and begin firing shots.  Other deputies returned fire, killing him. His name has not been released.