Trooper Kevin M. Marshall died as a result of gunshot wounds he received while making a tactical entry into a residence of a barricaded gunman. This incident occurred near the city of Fremont, in Newaygo County, on Monday, July 7, 2003 at approximately 4:00pm.
During the evening hours of July 6, 2003, officers from the Hesperia Police Department and the Newaygo County Sheriff Department, attempted to serve a felony warrant for accosting children for immoral purposes on 40 year old Scott Allen Woodring, of Fremont, Michigan. Woodring then barricaded himself in his home. The Michigan State Police Emergency Support Team was requested and responded to the scene.
When Emergency Support team members were attempting to provide communication equipment, the suspect fired two shots at the officers. After 14 hours of negotiations failed, a State Police Emergency Support entry team made a tactical entry into the residence. Trooper Marshall was the lead officer in this team, which was met with gunfire as entry was made. Multiple .223 rifle rounds struck the ballistic shield he was carrying, with four rounds striking Trooper Marshall. Two other members of the team were also struck. One received a non-life threatening injury and the other was unhurt, having been struck in the helmet.
Trooper Marshall was transported to Gerber Hospital in Fremont before being airlifted to Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids, where he died during surgery.
Although the house was surrounded by law enforcement officers, the suspect was able to escape undetected after the shooting. A cache of weapons and survival gear were found in the rubble of his house, which caught fire and burned during the standoff. A massive manhunt ensued and a first degree warrant for murder was issued for Scott Allen Woodring by the Newaygo County Prosecutor.
On Sunday, July 13, 2003, the Michigan State Police received a tip that Woodring was in the area of Maple Island (M-120) and 64th Street in Newaygo County. Eight members of the State Police Emergency Support Team were assembled and responded to that location. They located the suspect in a vehicle behind a house. Emergency Support team members ordered Woodring to remain in the vehicle. Despite these orders, Woodring exited the vehicle armed with an assault rifle and turned toward the officers. Woodring was subsequently shot by Emergency Support team members. He was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of his wounds.
Trooper Marshall, a native of Sterling Heights, was a member of the 111th Michigan State Police Recruit School and an eight year veteran of the department. He enlisted with the department on January 15, 1995, and upon completion of recruit training, was assigned to the Newaygo post. He joined the department’s Emergency Support Team in 2002. Trooper Marshall was posthumously awarded the Michigan State Police Medal of Valor for his actions in this incident.
Trooper Marshall was earlier presented with the Michigan State Police Bravery Award in May, 2003 for his courageous actions in subduing a suicidal woman who was attempting to stab both herself and her boyfriend.
Trooper Marshall was a graduate of Wayne State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
Trooper Marshall is survived by his wife, Angela and two children.
Trooper Kevin M. Marshall is the 49th Michigan State Police officer to die in the line of duty.