Police Officer Robert Edward Neelis

Robert Edward Neelis

Police Officer Robert Neelis died from complications of a gunshot wound sustained earlier in the morning when his partner's pistol was inadvertently discharged as it was handed between the two officers in the village police department.

The two had been practicing dry-firing their .38 caliber service revolvers but had reloaded them in preparation to return to patrol. The other officer then noticed he had a cut on his finger and believed it was the result of a defect on his gun. He was handing the gun to Officer Neelis to examine it when it was inadvertently discharged, striking Officer Neelis in the mouth. The wound itself was not considered fatal, however, he was disoriented while emerging from anesthesia following emergency surgery and he accidentally pulled the endotracheal tube from his throat. The tube's removal caused immediate complications and he died minutes later.

Officer Neelis had only served with the Springport Village Police Department for 3-1/2 weeks and also served with the Michigan Civil Air Patrol. He was survived by his parents and siblings.