29-Year-Old State Patrol Trooper Dies After Falling from Bridge onto Highway During High-Speed Car Chase

0Officer Bradley RitgerCredit: Wisconsin State PatrolNEED TO KNOWWisconsin State Patrol trooper Bradley Ritger died on Oct. 2 of injuries he sustained during a vehicle chase

He was injured after falling off a bridge and onto a highway during a high-speed chase on Sept. 21

Flags will be lowered to honor Ritger, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced in the wake of the trooper’s death

A 29-year-old Wisconsin state trooper has died from injuries he sustained in the line of duty.

Bradley Ritger, a trooper with the Wisconsin State Patrol (WSP), died on Friday, Oct. 2. The officer succumbed to injuries he sustained from falling off a bridge onto Interstate 94 during a vehicle chase over a week earlier, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced along with its WSP division on Saturday, Oct. 3.

During a traffic pursuit on Sept. 21, Ritger fell from the bridge west of the Dunn County and Eau Claire County line and onto the highway while moving to “a position of cover,” according to the WisDOT announcement.

He had just deployed a tire deflation device on a bridge deck before falling.

Ritger received “lifesaving efforts and critical medical care,” but later succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 2, WisDOT said.

While announcing his death Saturday, WisDOT called the trooper “a dedicated public servant whose strong work ethic and positive presence left a lasting impact on anyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He approached every situation with professionalism, integrity and a genuine commitment to serving others.”

“Whether assisting the public, supporting his fellow troopers, or taking on difficult challenges, he consistently demonstrated compassion and willingness to help wherever needed,” the department’s statement continued. “His dedication to his family and unwavering commitment to his profession will not be forgotten.”

“We extend our deepest sympathy to Trooper Ritger’s family, friends, loved ones and all who served alongside him,” WisDOT said.

The WSP further shared in Saturday’s announcement that it has “placed a law enforcement memorial vehicle at its Northwest Region Post in Eau Claire where the public is welcome to drop off cards, flowers or other condolences” in the wake of Ritger’s death.

“Out of respect for the family, no additional information will be shared at this time,” the WisDOT and the WSP said. “Funeral arrangements are being made by the family. We kindly ask media and the public to respect their privacy and space for grieving.”

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced Saturday that after funeral arrangements are made, a forthcoming executive order will lower United States and Wisconsin flags across the state to honor Ritger, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

“Our hearts break for Trooper Ritger and his family,” Evers said in a statement obtained by the outlet. “He was already leading a life of public service and dedication to our state, and our state workers join his coworkers and colleagues, friends, and loved ones in mourning his passing. This was a young life lost far too soon.”

The governor went on to say that he and his wife, Kathy, “are praying for Trooper Ritger’s family and will continue to keep them, his colleagues at the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Department of Corrections, and all those who know and love Trooper Ritger in our hearts and our thoughts in the difficult days ahead.”

PEOPLE has reached out to Evers’ office for comment.

Ritger served with the WSP for almost five years, primarily in the Dunn County area, after joining as a member of the 67th Recruit Class. He attained several certifications during his time at the law enforcement agency.

Prior to joining the WSP, Ritger served with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for three years.

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The vehicle that started the high-speed pursuit hit the deflation device Ritger deployed before falling and came to a stop in a ditch, according to local outlets WQOW 18 News and WEAU.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Martell Tolbert Mitchell of Minneapolis, was arrested and charged with attempting to flee an officer and recklessly endangering safety, as well as several drug-related charges, the outlets reported.