Slain Officer ID'd as Beaumont Resident, Crafton Hills Student, Redlands High Grad

The Riverside Police Department has identified the police officer who was shot and killed Thursday morning in Riverside, allegedly by ex-LAPD rogue cop and accused triple homicide suspect Christopher Jordan Dorner.

"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," the department announced Sunday.

Crain, a resident of Beaumont, was born in the Southland, where he attended all of his schooling. 

RPD had initially held off on releasing Crain's name after the suspected gunman, Christopher Dorner, "made it very clear in his manifesto... that he considers any officer on duty or off duty to be fair game, as well as the families of the people that he blames for his misfortunes," Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz told Patch on Thursday.

Funeral services for Crain will be held Wednesday, Feb. 13.  Details on the service can be found here.

The following information was released about Crain's life:

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.

Related News:

• MANHUNT: Reward For Information Leading to Dorner Capture
• MANHUNT: Search For Rogue Former Cop Continues
• How the Events Surrounding Christopher Dorner Unfolded
• Patch Exclusive: Photos of Shot-up Riverside Police Cruiser
• Winter Storm Warning for Mountains Where Dorner Search is Under Way
• DORNER MANIFESTO: Rogue Officer Posted His Plan for 'Last Resort' Online
• BREAKING NEWS: Watch the Police Dorner Press Conference Live
• Suspect Identified in the Slayings of Former Walnut High Athlete and Her Fiance

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