A Vermont State Police trooper died after suffering a medical emergency at a firing range Thursday afternoon.
Trooper Kyle D. Young was trying out for the state police tactical team at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho when he collapsed around 2 p.m., according to The Burlington Free Press.
The 28-year-old trooper was transported by an ambulance -- accompanied by 13 police cruisers -- to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead around 3 p.m.
The cause of Young's death will be determined by an autopsy, which was performed on Friday.
"A tragedy such as this is difficult to fathom, and I stand with Kyle's family as they come to grips with his loss," Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn said in a statement. "I also strongly support Kyle's second family, the Vermont State Police. In times of tragedy, this organization of professionals pulls together to support each other. Kyle will forever be a part of that family, one of the best law enforcement organizations in the country."
Vermont State Police Director Col. Matthew Birmingham, who took command just six weeks ago, also expressed his condolences.
"The Vermont State Police express their deepest sympathies to the family of Kyle, his children, his partner, and the troopers who served closely with him," he said in a statement. "Now and in the coming days, I will focus solely on supporting Kyle's family, and our Vermont State Police family, as we struggle to come to grips with this tragic loss of a father, son and brother trooper."
Gov. Peter Shumlin told the newspaper that the news of the trooper's death broke his heart.
"This is someone who ... has been an extraordinary public servant and has risked his life every day trying to make our lives more safe," he said. "It's just a heartbreaking tragedy." The trooper was described as being young and was the father of two children.
Young joined the Vermont State Police in January 2014 and was assigned to the New Haven barracks in Middlebury. Previously, he served from 2007 to 2011 in the U.S. Air Force doing security. Following his discharge, he worked for PSS/SGS, doing global integrated security for about two years before being hired by the state police.
Funeral arrangements are pending.