A former Sturgis man has died in the line of duty, while serving as a police officer in Fairbanks, Alaska. Sgt. Allen Brandt, a Class of 2000 graduate of Sturgis High School, died from complications of eye surgery.

According to KTUU-TV, Brandt was responding to a report of shots fired, earlier this month in downtown Fairbanks, when a suspect approached his cruiser and shot the officer four times in the lower body and once in the chest. He was wearing a bullet proof vest and a bullet fragment struck him in the eye.

He appeared to be recovering from surgery when he suddenly took a turn for the worse and died Friday.

Brandt was an 11-year veteran of the Fairbanks Police force and was married with four Children.

Anthony George Jenkins-Alexie, 29, was charged Monday with attempted murder and other felony counts in the shooting. The charges will be upgraded as a result of the officer's death.

Thank-you Sgt. Allen Brandt for your service and sacrifice while walking the thin blue line.

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