UPDATED: Slain Red Lake Nation police officer identified, escorted to Bemidji
Jul. 28—REDBY — The Red Lake Department of Public Safety has identified the officer killed in a shooting there on Tuesday morning.
Ryan Bialke, 37, died of gunshot wounds, a release said, after responding to a call regarding a suicidal male with possible children present.
"It is with a heavy heart that I announce the loss of one of our brave Red Lake Tribal Police Officers this morning," said the release from Michael Burns, Red Lake's Director of Public Safety.
RELATED: Red Lake Nation police officer dies in line of duty
The suspect, who opened fire on officers and then fled into the woods, is in custody, according to the release.
Officer Bialke was transported to the Red Lake Hospital, where he died. The suspect was apprehended shortly after and federal charges are pending, the release said.
Bialke was a six-year veteran with the Red Lake Police Department and leaves behind a wife and four children.
Red Lake Chairman Darrell Seki Sr. directed all tribal organizations and businesses to lower their flags to half staff for the remainder of the week and also ordered all non-essential tribal programs closed for the remainder of Tuesday, July 27.
The Red Lake Nation Police Department shared a video on Tuesday afternoon along with the caption, "escorting our brother in blue, our fallen officer, to Anoka County. Police Officers from agencies state wide have joined the Red Lake Nation in solidarity and honor of our fallen Police Officer."
In a statement Tuesday, District 2A Rep. Matt Grossell, R-Clearbrook, said "I'm devastated to learn of the Red Lake officer killed in the line of duty. I'm grateful that the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was able to respond quickly and that the suspect has been arrested. My prayers are with the family, loved ones and colleagues of the fallen officer, and I send my condolences to the people of the Red Lake Nation."
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach, R-MN7, also released a statement on Tuesday. Fischbach said "the killing of officer Ryan Bialke is an unbelievable tragedy and my heart is heavy over the murder of another law enforcement officer. I want to express my sincere condolences to officer Bialke's family and friends, as well as the entire Red Lake Nation community, and ask everyone to join me in keeping them in our prayers."
Area law enforcement escorted Bialke's body from Anoka County to Cease Funeral Home in Bemidji on Wednesday evening.
The FBI and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are assisting the Red Lake Police Department in the investigation.
