PAW PAW, Mich. — Family of the Michigan State Police Detective/Sergeant shot and seriously injured in Wednesday's incident in Union City has released a statement. Aaron Steensma's family thanked the community for an outpouring of support and said that he will be missed as he recovers "from this horrifying incident."
"Family is doing as well as can be expected," said MSP F/Lt. Dale Hinz during an interview at the Paw Paw Post."Obviously this is a very traumatic situation, something that's very difficult for a family when it's so sudden like this."
Steensma was shot in the chest Wednesday and suffered a shattered collar bone. F/Lt. Hinz said he remains in ICU at Brogess Hospital.
"He hasn’t had a whole lot of progression overnight," said F/Lt. Hinz. "But that's to be expected at this point."
Police said the suspect, 62-year-old David Kidney, was named a person of interest in the cold case of Duane Finney, who was murdered in 2009. Police reopened the case last year. Wednesday at 11:15 a.m., Steensma and Trooper Daniel Thayer were serving a warrant to Kidney when he allegedly opened fire on the officers. Thayer received minor injuries. Kidney was later found dead in a wooded area behind his home.
"He was deceased as a result of a gunshot that he sustained during the exchange of gunfire with police," said F/Lt. Dale Hinz. "It was not a self-inflicted gunshot."
Police said the investigation is still on-going.
Read the full statement below:
We would like to start off by saying thank you to everyone for your outpouring of support. Not only from the Michigan State Police and but also from surrounding police, fire and EMS agencies as well as friends and surrounding communities. We would like to give a special thanks to the personnel who helped take care of Aaron on the scene and help get him to safety, as well as all of the medical personnel who have provided excellent treatment and care for Aaron in his time of need.
Aaron is a family oriented guy and very involved in the community. He loves being involved with his children at their sporting events and he will be greatly missed while he continues to recover from this horrifying incident. It’s something we knew could happen at any time but there is no way to prepare yourself for it when it does occur. He loves his job and we are all very proud of his accomplishments while working with the Michigan State Police. Please continue to keep Aaron and our family in your thoughts and prayers as well as all of the emergency responders out protecting and serving.
Friends within the department have arranged for donations to be made online at www.mspta.net/mstaf/donations/, please be sure to put D/Sgt. Aaron Steensma in the in memory/honor and support of box. Checks can be mailed to: 1715 Abbey Rd Suite B East Lansing, MI 48823. Thank you for your support!
