Memorial honoring former TR resident unveiled

A hero in the world of law enforcement was memorialized Saturday in Three Rivers.

A ceremony honoring Three Rivers native and former St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department member Ryan Proxmire took place at Armstrong Park. A bench was unveiled and dedicated in Proxmire’s memory.

The effort to add a bench in the children’s area of the park was led by childhood friend Ryan Schnepp, now a Constantine resident.

In the presence of more than 50 people, including Proxmire’s family and law-enforcement officials from St. Joseph and Kalamazoo counties, Schnepp unveiled the blue, metal bench. It features an inscription that reads: “In memory of Sgt. Ryan Proxmire, Kalamazoo Co. Sheriff’s Dept. End of watch 8/15/2021.”

Proxmire was killed in the line of duty after attempting to stop a suspect fleeing from authorities. The suspect was shot and killed by deputies after he attempted to shoot at them.

Schnepp, Proxmire’s father, Mark, and Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller all spoke during the 15-miunte ceremony.