By Police1 Staff
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A 29-year-old police officer died of an apparent heart attack while jogging Saturday.
GRPD Chief Kevin Belk said Andrew Rusticus had been training for an agility test to become a K-9 handler when he was found lying in the road near his home in Dorr, according to WOODTV. The officer was immediately transported to Metro Health Hospital, where he died later that evening.
Also a defensive tactics trainer, Rusticus joined the department in 2009 and had wished to be a cop from a young age.
“He’s wanted to be a police officer since he was 10 years old,” said Belk. “This was a lifelong dream and something he was able to pursue. Sadly, a very promising career has been taken away.”
The dedicated public servant leaves behind a wife, Michelle, and two young daughters, ages 3 years and 3 months.
Funeral services are set for Thursday afternoon at Dorr Christian Reformed Church.