Red Lake officer killed in the line of duty
Updated: 8:15 p.m.
A Red Lake police officer was killed in the line of duty Tuesday.
A statement from the Red Lake Department of Public Safety identified the officer as Ryan Bialke, 37. He was with the department for six years.
The statement says the officer was responding to a report of a man intending to harm himself, possibly with children in the house, when he was shot.
The alleged shooter, who police say ran into woods nearby, is in custody. The FBI and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating. Federal charges may be filed in a few days, Red Lake police said.
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Bialke died at an Indian Health Service hospital. Red Lake police say he had a wife and four children.
Rep. Matt Grossell, R-Clearbrook, said in a statement he was “devastated” by the news of Bialke’s death. “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."
Tribal leaders said they are directing all tribal programs and businesses to lower flags to half-staff this week. The statement said all non-essential tribal programs are closed Tuesday out of respect and honor to the fallen officer.
The Red Lake Reservation is in northwest Minnesota, about 160 miles from the Canadian border. It covers about 1,260 square miles and is home to about half of the tribe's 14,000 members.
The four communities on the reservation are Little Rock, Ponemah, Red Lake and Redby.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.