By Journal Staff

ST. IGNACE — The Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man killed in a plane crash that occurred around 9:49 p.m. Friday near the Mackinac County Airport in St. Ignace as Ronald Steven Dague, 64, of East Troy, Wisconsin, an assistant district attorney with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.

Mackinac County Sheriff’s deputies, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Michigan State Police dive team searched through the weekend, with divers locating the engine and main cabin compartment of the plane Sunday. They were taken to a secure location for investigators to review, but it was discovered the pilot was not in the aircraft.

Recovery efforts were to continue for the missing pilot’s remains and to look for other critical debris.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board also are investigating the crash.

The victim’s employer, Milwaukee County District Attorney John T. Chisholm, released this statement:

“Tragically, we learned that our colleague, Assistant District Attorney Ronald S. Dague, lost his life in an airplane accident last Friday night. Ron was a valued member of our General Crimes Unit and served with distinction in many capacities in the District Attorney’s Office since 1992.

“On behalf of the District Attorney’s Office and all our colleagues in the criminal justice system, I extended my deepest condolences to Ron’s family and friends at this difficult time. Ron was a gifted trial attorney, a devoted student of the law, and a passionate defender of equity, fairness and justice. His advocacy helped build a safer community for everyone living in Milwaukee County.

“At a personal level, Ron was a devoted husband and father who deeply loved his family and his absence will be keenly felt. Please keep his wife and young daughter in your prayers. It was an honor to serve the public alongside Ron, and I wish his family peace at this most difficult and challenging time.

“I appreciate the professionalism and courtesy extended to the office and Ron’s family by the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Coast Guard. The family has asked that their privacy be respected as they mourn their loss.”