Michael Crain, Riverside police officer was 34

Michael Crain

Michael Crain, Riverside police officer was 34

Michael Crain, an 11-year veteran of the Riverside Police Department, was the officer killed the morning of Feb. 7 when allegedly ambushed by rogue ex-LAPD cop Christopher Dorner. 

Crain and his partner were stopped at a red light at the intersection of Arlington and Magnolia avenues in Riverside when authorities believe Dorner drove up after fleeing a shootout with undercover LAPD pursuers in Corona. 

Dorner allegedly opened fire on Crain's car, then fled. He has not been spotted since, though his disabled and burned-out truck was found on a fire road in the San Bernardino Mountains above Big Bear.

Crain is survived by a wife, a 10-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Grove Community Church in Riverside, followed by interment at Riverside National Cemetery. From the Riverside Police Department announcement:

Officer Michael Crain was born in Anaheim, California to Stephen and Cindy Crain on April 9, 1978. He was the oldest of three children and had a brother, Jason, and sister, Leslie. He was raised in the Riverside area and graduated from Redlands High School in 1996.

After high school, Mike attended Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa for a year prior to enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He served two deployment tours in Kuwait as a rifleman in the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Battalion 1st Marines. He was a squad leader, and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was then stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA, where he taught Military Operations in Urban Terrain. During his military service, Mike was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 star, a Certificate of Commendation, and the Rifle Marksmanship Badge.

After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Mike joined the Riverside Police Department. He graduated from the Riverside Sheriff’s Academy, class #152, and was sworn in as a Riverside Police Officer on August 24, 2001.

Following his graduation from the Field Training Program, he was assigned to Field Operations as a patrol officer. During his 11 year tenure with the Riverside Police Department, Mike served as a patrol officer, and was assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. He had also served as a Helicopter Observer, a Field Training Officer, a Firearms Instructor, and had been assigned to the University Neighborhood Enhancement Team (UNET).

Mike had a big heart, and enjoyed spending time with his wife, Regina, son, Ian (age 10), and daughter Kaitlyn (age 4). He loved attending dance recitals with his daughter and coaching his son’s baseball team. He also loved his classic 1970 Chevy Nova, which he spent his spare time restoring. Mike’s family and friends knew his usually straight face hid a huge personality. He made an unforgettable impression on everyone he met.

During the early morning of February 7, 2013, Officer Michael Crain was gunned down in an apparent ambush while he was on patrol and parked at a stoplight with a trainee officer. Mike will be missed by his family, friends, and his community.