Officer Nick Armstrong and Officer J. Ryan McCandless were shot and killed as they and another officer questioned four suspicious subjects at the intersection of East Anamosa and Greenbriar Streets at about 4:30 pm.
After several minutes a male subject in the group pulled out a concealed handgun and opened fire, striking all three officers before being wounded by return fire. The subject was shot and fatally wounded.
All three officers were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Officer McCandless was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital, and Officer Nick Armstrong succumbed to his wounds five days later.
Officer Armstrong had served with the Rapid City Police Department for two years and had previously served two years with the Spearfish Police Department.
Bio & Photo provided by ODMP
Obituary
Nick Armstrong, Rapid City Police Officer, passed away Saturday, August 6, 2011 from injuries sustained August 2, in the line of duty.
Nicholas Keegan Armstrong was born in Rapid City, May 24, 1984, to Bill and Kim Armstrong. Nick attended Meadowbrook Elementary, South West Middle, and Stevens High Schools in Rapid City.
It was evident early on that Nick wanted to be a cop and that dream never wavered, often dressing up in his father's SWAT team clothes and playing paintball with his brothers and friends. Nick was a member of the South Dakota Civil Air Patrol during high school and participated in their color guard who were nationally ranked. He was also a Rapid City Police Cadet for several years during and right after high school. Nick left Black Hills State University after three years of study, anxious to enter his law enforcement career. He started as a reserve deputy and correctional officer with Lawrence County, followed by two years as a policeman for the City of Spearfish before coming to the Rapid City Police Department in June of 2009. Nick was assigned to the Street Crimes Unit of the Rapid City Police Department in April of 2011. He loved that assignment. Where else could you wear shorts, ride a bike and get paid for it? He was dedicated to getting into the best physical condition of his life, this being evident at the time of his death as he was able to give hope and life to others through organ donation.
Nick loved nature and the outdoors, hiking, biking, camping and skiing being favorite pastimes. It really didn't matter what he was doing as long as he was with his friends. He also loved road trips, often starting with the intention of going one place but ending up somewhere all together different. It wasn't the destination, but the journey. He was a gifted photographer and many of his adventures are preserved forever in his pictures.
In a family of three boys, Nick was the eldest brother, three bodies sharing the same heart. He was the greatest son, stopping by after shift or on his days off just to hang with his parents and play with the dogs.
Honored and humbled to be part of his family are his mother and father, Kim and Bill Armstrong, Rapid city; brother Chris Armstrong (Danielle McKenzie), Milwaukee, WI, brother Mackenzie Armstrong, Rapid City, grandmother Iva Keacher, Glenwood, MN; aunt Susan (Phil) Paschke, Seattle, WA; uncle Tom (Susan) Keacher, Phoenix, AZ; and cousins, Devin Paschke, Andrea Keacher and Jeff Keacher. In addition, Nick was blessed with the friendship of many wonderful people, all of whom we wish will stay a part of our family. His honorary brothers include, John "Bob" Arneson, Dustin Calhoun, Justin Cramer, Chris Larson, Eric O'Connor, and Cory Shafer; and honorary sisters, Jamie Appleman, Sara Hornick and Lori Larson.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather Lloyd Keacher and grandparents George and Eloise Armstrong.
Services will be at 11am on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in the Barnett Arena with Pastor Corey Harouff officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Humane Society of the Black Hills.
"The mountains and calling and I must go." Nick Armstrong and John Muir
After several minutes a male subject in the group pulled out a concealed handgun and opened fire, striking all three officers before being wounded by return fire. The subject was shot and fatally wounded.
All three officers were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Officer McCandless was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital, and Officer Nick Armstrong succumbed to his wounds five days later.
Officer Armstrong had served with the Rapid City Police Department for two years and had previously served two years with the Spearfish Police Department.
Bio & Photo provided by ODMP
Obituary
Nick Armstrong, Rapid City Police Officer, passed away Saturday, August 6, 2011 from injuries sustained August 2, in the line of duty.
Nicholas Keegan Armstrong was born in Rapid City, May 24, 1984, to Bill and Kim Armstrong. Nick attended Meadowbrook Elementary, South West Middle, and Stevens High Schools in Rapid City.
It was evident early on that Nick wanted to be a cop and that dream never wavered, often dressing up in his father's SWAT team clothes and playing paintball with his brothers and friends. Nick was a member of the South Dakota Civil Air Patrol during high school and participated in their color guard who were nationally ranked. He was also a Rapid City Police Cadet for several years during and right after high school. Nick left Black Hills State University after three years of study, anxious to enter his law enforcement career. He started as a reserve deputy and correctional officer with Lawrence County, followed by two years as a policeman for the City of Spearfish before coming to the Rapid City Police Department in June of 2009. Nick was assigned to the Street Crimes Unit of the Rapid City Police Department in April of 2011. He loved that assignment. Where else could you wear shorts, ride a bike and get paid for it? He was dedicated to getting into the best physical condition of his life, this being evident at the time of his death as he was able to give hope and life to others through organ donation.
Nick loved nature and the outdoors, hiking, biking, camping and skiing being favorite pastimes. It really didn't matter what he was doing as long as he was with his friends. He also loved road trips, often starting with the intention of going one place but ending up somewhere all together different. It wasn't the destination, but the journey. He was a gifted photographer and many of his adventures are preserved forever in his pictures.
In a family of three boys, Nick was the eldest brother, three bodies sharing the same heart. He was the greatest son, stopping by after shift or on his days off just to hang with his parents and play with the dogs.
Honored and humbled to be part of his family are his mother and father, Kim and Bill Armstrong, Rapid city; brother Chris Armstrong (Danielle McKenzie), Milwaukee, WI, brother Mackenzie Armstrong, Rapid City, grandmother Iva Keacher, Glenwood, MN; aunt Susan (Phil) Paschke, Seattle, WA; uncle Tom (Susan) Keacher, Phoenix, AZ; and cousins, Devin Paschke, Andrea Keacher and Jeff Keacher. In addition, Nick was blessed with the friendship of many wonderful people, all of whom we wish will stay a part of our family. His honorary brothers include, John "Bob" Arneson, Dustin Calhoun, Justin Cramer, Chris Larson, Eric O'Connor, and Cory Shafer; and honorary sisters, Jamie Appleman, Sara Hornick and Lori Larson.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather Lloyd Keacher and grandparents George and Eloise Armstrong.
Services will be at 11am on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in the Barnett Arena with Pastor Corey Harouff officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Humane Society of the Black Hills.
"The mountains and calling and I must go." Nick Armstrong and John Muir
Officer Nick Armstrong and Officer J. Ryan McCandless were shot and killed as they and another officer questioned four suspicious subjects at the intersection of East Anamosa and Greenbriar Streets at about 4:30 pm.
After several minutes a male subject in the group pulled out a concealed handgun and opened fire, striking all three officers before being wounded by return fire. The subject was shot and fatally wounded.
All three officers were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Officer McCandless was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital, and Officer Nick Armstrong succumbed to his wounds five days later.
Officer Armstrong had served with the Rapid City Police Department for two years and had previously served two years with the Spearfish Police Department.
Bio & Photo provided by ODMP
Obituary
Nick Armstrong, Rapid City Police Officer, passed away Saturday, August 6, 2011 from injuries sustained August 2, in the line of duty.
Nicholas Keegan Armstrong was born in Rapid City, May 24, 1984, to Bill and Kim Armstrong. Nick attended Meadowbrook Elementary, South West Middle, and Stevens High Schools in Rapid City.
It was evident early on that Nick wanted to be a cop and that dream never wavered, often dressing up in his father's SWAT team clothes and playing paintball with his brothers and friends. Nick was a member of the South Dakota Civil Air Patrol during high school and participated in their color guard who were nationally ranked. He was also a Rapid City Police Cadet for several years during and right after high school. Nick left Black Hills State University after three years of study, anxious to enter his law enforcement career. He started as a reserve deputy and correctional officer with Lawrence County, followed by two years as a policeman for the City of Spearfish before coming to the Rapid City Police Department in June of 2009. Nick was assigned to the Street Crimes Unit of the Rapid City Police Department in April of 2011. He loved that assignment. Where else could you wear shorts, ride a bike and get paid for it? He was dedicated to getting into the best physical condition of his life, this being evident at the time of his death as he was able to give hope and life to others through organ donation.
Nick loved nature and the outdoors, hiking, biking, camping and skiing being favorite pastimes. It really didn't matter what he was doing as long as he was with his friends. He also loved road trips, often starting with the intention of going one place but ending up somewhere all together different. It wasn't the destination, but the journey. He was a gifted photographer and many of his adventures are preserved forever in his pictures.
In a family of three boys, Nick was the eldest brother, three bodies sharing the same heart. He was the greatest son, stopping by after shift or on his days off just to hang with his parents and play with the dogs.
Honored and humbled to be part of his family are his mother and father, Kim and Bill Armstrong, Rapid city; brother Chris Armstrong (Danielle McKenzie), Milwaukee, WI, brother Mackenzie Armstrong, Rapid City, grandmother Iva Keacher, Glenwood, MN; aunt Susan (Phil) Paschke, Seattle, WA; uncle Tom (Susan) Keacher, Phoenix, AZ; and cousins, Devin Paschke, Andrea Keacher and Jeff Keacher. In addition, Nick was blessed with the friendship of many wonderful people, all of whom we wish will stay a part of our family. His honorary brothers include, John "Bob" Arneson, Dustin Calhoun, Justin Cramer, Chris Larson, Eric O'Connor, and Cory Shafer; and honorary sisters, Jamie Appleman, Sara Hornick and Lori Larson.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather Lloyd Keacher and grandparents George and Eloise Armstrong.
Services will be at 11am on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in the Barnett Arena with Pastor Corey Harouff officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Humane Society of the Black Hills.
"The mountains and calling and I must go." Nick Armstrong and John Muir
After several minutes a male subject in the group pulled out a concealed handgun and opened fire, striking all three officers before being wounded by return fire. The subject was shot and fatally wounded.
All three officers were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Officer McCandless was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital, and Officer Nick Armstrong succumbed to his wounds five days later.
Officer Armstrong had served with the Rapid City Police Department for two years and had previously served two years with the Spearfish Police Department.
Bio & Photo provided by ODMP
Obituary
Nick Armstrong, Rapid City Police Officer, passed away Saturday, August 6, 2011 from injuries sustained August 2, in the line of duty.
Nicholas Keegan Armstrong was born in Rapid City, May 24, 1984, to Bill and Kim Armstrong. Nick attended Meadowbrook Elementary, South West Middle, and Stevens High Schools in Rapid City.
It was evident early on that Nick wanted to be a cop and that dream never wavered, often dressing up in his father's SWAT team clothes and playing paintball with his brothers and friends. Nick was a member of the South Dakota Civil Air Patrol during high school and participated in their color guard who were nationally ranked. He was also a Rapid City Police Cadet for several years during and right after high school. Nick left Black Hills State University after three years of study, anxious to enter his law enforcement career. He started as a reserve deputy and correctional officer with Lawrence County, followed by two years as a policeman for the City of Spearfish before coming to the Rapid City Police Department in June of 2009. Nick was assigned to the Street Crimes Unit of the Rapid City Police Department in April of 2011. He loved that assignment. Where else could you wear shorts, ride a bike and get paid for it? He was dedicated to getting into the best physical condition of his life, this being evident at the time of his death as he was able to give hope and life to others through organ donation.
Nick loved nature and the outdoors, hiking, biking, camping and skiing being favorite pastimes. It really didn't matter what he was doing as long as he was with his friends. He also loved road trips, often starting with the intention of going one place but ending up somewhere all together different. It wasn't the destination, but the journey. He was a gifted photographer and many of his adventures are preserved forever in his pictures.
In a family of three boys, Nick was the eldest brother, three bodies sharing the same heart. He was the greatest son, stopping by after shift or on his days off just to hang with his parents and play with the dogs.
Honored and humbled to be part of his family are his mother and father, Kim and Bill Armstrong, Rapid city; brother Chris Armstrong (Danielle McKenzie), Milwaukee, WI, brother Mackenzie Armstrong, Rapid City, grandmother Iva Keacher, Glenwood, MN; aunt Susan (Phil) Paschke, Seattle, WA; uncle Tom (Susan) Keacher, Phoenix, AZ; and cousins, Devin Paschke, Andrea Keacher and Jeff Keacher. In addition, Nick was blessed with the friendship of many wonderful people, all of whom we wish will stay a part of our family. His honorary brothers include, John "Bob" Arneson, Dustin Calhoun, Justin Cramer, Chris Larson, Eric O'Connor, and Cory Shafer; and honorary sisters, Jamie Appleman, Sara Hornick and Lori Larson.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather Lloyd Keacher and grandparents George and Eloise Armstrong.
Services will be at 11am on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in the Barnett Arena with Pastor Corey Harouff officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Humane Society of the Black Hills.
"The mountains and calling and I must go." Nick Armstrong and John Muir
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