West Michigan Police Officer Killed In Chase
RAVENNA (WWJ/AP) - A West Michigan officer was struck and killed by a car driven by two suspected bank robbers, who later were killed in a shootout with police.
The incident began with the robbery in Ravenna, Thursday morning, west of Grand Rapids. Deputies from Muskegon, Kent and Ottawa counties as well as local police were all involved in the chase at some point as it went both eastbound and westbound on I-96.
Michigan State Police Sgt. John Tillman said the officer with the Walker police department was killed when the suspects crashed in Ottawa County's Crockery Township, about 15 miles northwest of Grand Rapids.
"I believe he was attempting to lay down some stop sticks in an effort to stop the pursued vehicle and was struck at that time," Tillman told WWJ Newsradio 950.
Tillman said the two men in an SUV fired at police patrol cars during the 10-mile chase that reached speeds of over 100 mph.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. A shotgun and M-4 rifle were recovered.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
