SGT. Ryan J. Proxmire
Officer: Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, Sergeant Ryan J. Proxmire
Date: 8/15/2021 Location: Charleston Township, MI FACTORS (1,2,4,8,15,21)
Perpetrator(s) Involved: Kyle Anthony Goidosik
Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, Goidosik had prior arrests for assault and battery, possession of methamphetamine, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and carrying a concealed weapon without a license. The day of the shooting he was “out on bond in connection to felony drug and weapons charges.”/Yes, he was fleeing from police with a stolen boat attached to his van and while in possession of stolen firearm.
Mental Illness: Yes, observing how he suffered from paranoia, Goidosik’s parents were alarmed he may hurt himself or someone else so they asked the court to mandate him to get a mental health examination.
Substance Abuse History/Involved: Yes, Goidosik had prior drug related arrests./None stated.
Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/35
What prompted the initial contact with the killer? On the night of August 14, 2021, Portage Department of Public Safety put over a be-on-the-lookout for a vehicle operated by Kyle Goidosik after he took off when their officers tried to pull him over for a registration violation. Kalamazoo County deputies familiar with the BOLO spotted Goidosik at a gas station and approached him.
Actions taken by subject toward police: Goidosik pointed a gun at the approaching deputies and then sped off in his vehicle. As the deputies chased him in their patrol cars, Goidosik shot at them several times, one of which went through the windshield of Sgt. Proxmire’s vehicle, striking him in the head.
Reactions by the police: The deputies chased Goidosik until he crashed off the roadway and then engaged them in a gun battle during which he was justifiably shot dead. After a passerby alerted 911 about Sgt. Proxmire being shot, deputies responded and assisted in getting him transported to the hospital where he sadly passed away the next day.
How murdered? Sgt. Proxmire was fatally shot while engaged in a vehicle pursuit.
What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? Other than ceasing the pursuit, it is impossible for officers to defend against an armed subject shooting at them during a vehicle pursuit.
Would the officer have been justified to use deadly force before being murdered? The officers were justified to return fire during the vehicle pursuit – concerns about civilian casualties may have stopped them from doing so.
Outcome for the cop-killer: Goidosik was justifiably shot dead in a gun battle with the deputies when his vehicle stopped after crashing off the roadway.
