DETROIT – A Detroit police officer who died Saturday after being shot while pursuing a suspect was a 20-year veteran of the force.
Sgt. Ken Steil, 46, leaves behind a family, including two young children.
PHOTOS: Kenneth Steil (courtesy of DPD)
Steil was expected to make a full recovery, but as hospital staff were preparing to send him home, the officer collapsed and suffered a medical issue that killed him.
Members of the Detroit Police Department are reflecting on losing one of their own this week. Steil's colleagues said his actions on Sept. 12 illustrate the type of leader he was.
"A cop takes the job seriously," Assistant Chief Steve Dolunt said. "Kenny took it seriously. He went after the bad guy. He said, 'I never seen the shot. I bent the corner and I got shot. Never seen it.' He didn't hesitate. He went for the guy."
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Police said Steil was chasing Marquise Cromer, 21. Cromer was wanted for shooting and wounding his own father a day earlier.
A foot chase led to an east side gas station, where investigators said Cromer fired a sawed-off shotgun, hitting Stile in the shoulder. Cromer was arrested and will now face amended charges.
Steil was a member of the department's underwater recovery team. He was affectionately known as "Shark" -- a master diver who could swim deep. He later moved to the 9th Precinct on the city's eastside. He leaves behind a loving family, including both parents, his wife JoAnn and two boys, ages 3 and 5.
"Kenny put his life on the line literally for the city," Dolunt said. "Unfortunately his wife and two kids don't have him anymore."
His family kept him on life support long enough for his organs to be harvested. So not only in life did he help people, but also in his death.
The funeral for Steil will be held Friday.