KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A portion of US-131 in Kalamazoo County will officially be named the “Sergeant Ryan J. Proxmire Memorial Highway” in a ceremony on Friday, September 9, at 4 p.m., in the front parking lot of Anna’s House Restaurant at 4700 Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo.
The memorial highway will start at West U Avenue north of Schoolcraft and will go past the U.S. 131 interchange with I-94.
House Bill 5720 naming that section of highway after Proxmire was sponsored by State Representative Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo and was signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on July 19.
39-year-old Ryan Proxmire was killed in the line of duty on August 14, 2021, during a high-speed chase. He was shot in the head while chasing the driver south of Galesburg. He died at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo the next day.
“The Proxmire Family is deeply humbled, honored, and grateful in learning of the passing of the bill to erect the memorial sign for our Fallen Hero, Sergeant Deputy Ryan J. Proxmire,” said Roanna Proxmire. “Ryan always made it a point to look up the names on those signs in our travels. Their lives matter and are remembered, and now his name on this sign will serve as a reminder of his dedication to his job and community, his belief in justice, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
“The women and men of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office and the community are happy to see this memorial taking place as we have just past the one-year anniversary of Sergeant Proxmire’s end of watch,” said Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller. “This will go a long way in helping the community understand the importance of the women and men serving their communities in the emergency services and remembering them for their sacrifices.”
“We have dedicated this memorial highway as a reminder of Sergeant Proxmire’s life and his heroic service to our community,” said Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo). “While nothing can ever truly express our grief and gratitude, we will honor his life for years to come by establishing this memorial highway in his name. I know his example of integrity will be an inspiration to others.”
“Today we commemorate the sacrifice Sgt Ryan Proxmire and his family made to protect our community. Naming this section of 131 for Sgt. Proxmire ensures the community will continue to honor his memory not just today, but for generations into the future.” – Rep. Christine Morse (D-
Texas Township).
“The MSA is thankful that Ryan Proxmire’s name will live on in memoriam giving him a lasting legacy as a means of recognizing his valiant efforts to protect his community and as a way of compensating for his life being stolen well before it’s time,” Matthew Saxton, CEO/Executive Director, Michigan Sheriffs’ Association. “We must never forget those men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to keep the rest of us safe.”
Proxmire graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1999 and served as a reserve deputy with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office before serving at the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office for more than nine years.
The public is invited to the dedication.
