WALLED LAKE, Mich. – Livonia police said that a Livonia police officer and a suspect were killed during a shooting at Glenwood and Maple roads in Walled Lake near the Commerce Township border. The Livonia Police Department held a news conference on Monday night to address the shooting.
Video: Press Conference On Livonia Officer's Death
Livonia Police Chief Robert Stevenson said that officer Larry Nehasil, 48, was killed while pursuing two people who broke into a home in Walled Lake. Nehasil and other officers exchanged gunfire with the suspects, Stevenson said. Stevenson said the other person killed was one of the suspects that Nehasil and other Livonia intelligence bureau officers were pursuing.
The chief said the other suspect was arrested. Nehasil was part of the Livonia police intelligence bureau for about five or six years, Stevenson said. "(Nehasil's) mission was to track down and arrest dangerous felons," Stevenson said.
Nehasil was with the Livonia Police Department for more than 20 years. He was a former Wayne County Sheriff. He was a husband and father of two, Stevenson said. "Larry was highly decorated," Stevenson said. "His family is obviously devastated by their loss, and we ask all of you to join in our prayers for them in their time of need. Larry will be remembered by his smile, his hard work ethic and will be missed by all of his coworkers."
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office will be investigating the shooting, Stevenson said. Stevenson said this is the first time in the history of the city that a Livonia police officer has been killed in a "violent felony." Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey spoke at the Monday night news conference. "I knew (Nehasil), not well, but I knew him and members of his family," Kirksey said. "Citizens of Livonia are grieving together for this great loss.
Video: Mayor Speaks Of Livonia's Loss