Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Ryan Proxmire succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night while involved in a vehicle pursuit.
A subject who had evaded officers in an earlier vehicle pursuit was spotted at a gas station on 35th Street near Galesburg. As deputies approached him, the man produced a gun and fled in his vehicle, prompting a second pursuit. During the second pursuit, the subject started shooting at the pursuing deputies. One of the rounds struck Sergeant Proxmire, causing his vehicle to leave the roadway near the intersection of MN Avenue and 38th Street in Charleston Township.
Unaware that Sergeant Proxmire had been wounded, the other deputies continued the pursuit for another 4-1/2 miles until the subject's vehicle became stuck in a field. The man exited his vehicle and shot at the deputies again, who returned fire and killed him.
A passing motorist encountered Sergeant Proxmire's vehicle and called 911. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wound the following day.
Sergeant Proxmire had served with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-CDCE08F5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Proxmire gave the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kalamazoo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Proxmire.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Ryan Joseph Proxmire is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ryan Joseph Proxmire's cause is highlighted.
How Ryan Joseph Proxmire Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ryan Joseph Proxmire is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ryan Joseph Proxmire was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
