Posted on 07/08/2007 5:22:42 PM PDT by Becki
GRAND RAPIDS - A Grand Rapids police officer was shot and killed early Sunday morning on the northeast side of the city.
Officer Robert "Bobby" Kozminski, 29, died shortly after the shooting at 1:40 a.m. at 1233 Emerald NE when police responded to a domestic disturbance.
In a Sunday afternoon statement, Police Chief Harry Dolan said Kozminski walked toward the back of the house and a man was "lying in wait in the garage." Kozminski was ambushed, "shot in the head through the glass portion of the closed garage door."
Another officer at the scene returned fire toward the suspect, who had already retreated into the house. No one was injured from that bullet.
Kozminski was taken to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital, where he died from his wounds.
At the scene, police arrested Jeffrey Vanvels, 45, who is being held on open murder charges pending further developments.
Vanvels was also arrested just more than a week ago - June 29, 2007 - for domestic violence and interference with communication, and released on June 30.
His wife, Sharon Gigi Vanvels, filed for divorce in November. She obtained a no-contact order against Jeffrey Vanvels, who currently has an address on Kinney in Walker.
Chief Dolan said he was "very proud" that Kozminski "gave his life to protect a family." Kozminski, a seven-year police veteran, is survived by his three-year-old daughter and his parents.
His family, Dolan said, "is grateful to all involved...and thankful for the thoughts and prayers."
In brief remarks, Heartwell said the "slaying of Robert Kozminski (is an affront) against every citizen." The mayor hopes the people of the area "use this tragic death to recommit to a safer community."
The GRPD Peer Support Team has been brought in to help officers deal with the situation.
Visitation for Officer Kozminski:
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m.
St. Anthony of Padua Church
2510 Richmond NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Thursdy, July 12, 2007
2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m.
St. Anthony of Padua Church
Funeral arrangements:
Friday, July 13, 2007
St. Anthony of Padua Church
11:00 a.m.
Interment following:
Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum
2000 Walker Ave NW
Grand Rapids
24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this story.
Officer Kozminski was 29. God comfort his family.
PRayers up for this family.
The emotion of a domestic situation is usually much more acute.
It seems the Detroit element has developed a fondness for this nice area.
Becki
A neighbor is a local cop (18 years) and he says that of all the calls he gets, the one that causes his stomach to knot up the most is a domestic disturbance call.
Many,many things I've read in recent times strongly suggests to me that Michigan is dying.If I was living there I'd sell my house for whatever I could get for it and get the heck out.
They’re the ones my dad dreaded the most...especially during the holidays. He’s retired Detroit PD.
It’s my home state. We just returned from visiting family. They live in a lovely area...but overall the state just depresses me whenever I go there.
There you did it. You really need to understand Detroit. where do I start? A muslim call to prayer in some districts? Or the # on welfare, unemployment, or working for the federal Gov’t? If we only could dig a trench around detroit and give it to Canada, Michigan, aside from da yoopers would be one of the reddest states on a political map. Two counties from me, the last election, constituents voted 96% conservative! Second in the nation for inland lakes, second for # of Bow liscences, almost more churches than resterants, need I say more? Employment isn’t the greatest right now, but once the medical field is established, prosperity again. I may be disqualified to really know what’s out there seeing when I take my vacation, I stay in my home state, but with church and friends accross town, hunting out the back door, fishing just down the street, and work, I’m not going anywhere!
Prayers for him and his little daughter and family.
My daughter is a police officer, and domestic violence calls are the worst.
The state isn't dying, the auto workers are. Michigan is actually a beautiful place, at least on this side of the state and north. West Michigan is the only thing keeping the state afloat right now. The DeVos and VanAndel families have invested huge sums to establish a medical industry here. It's a good thing Jenny wants to tax services, now, isn't it?
It is the union mentality on the other side of the state that is draining us. That, and our socialist Governor.
I do like it here. It is a great place with wonderful communities. You just have to stay west.
Becki
Its more terrible because it is so senseless.
Amen.
Well done.
Good for you. I get rather sick of seeing Americans running scared from one place to another.
Stand your ground. Very honorable.
We have friends that know him. Prayers for his family.
I don’t post much either, I browse everyday, but if I don’t have anything important to say I don’t. But this post caught my attention cause I am from the area as well.
It is really too bad what is happening to the state of Michigan cause most of it is really beautiful, at least west and north of Lansing as was stated already. I just came from the lakeshore today, we went to the beach, went swimming in Lake Michigan...it is truly one of the most beautiful places in the USA.
That being said, I can’t stand west Michigan winters. The 5 to 6 month winters here ARE enough to make me consider moving when the kids get older and we are empty nesters.
Parts of Michigan are also indeed truly depressing. I drove through D-town a while ago on the way to a Tigers game and it was like ROBOCOP....it was scary. I blame the unions and the people who keep electing people like Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatric and ol Jenny Grandmole.
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