Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Update: Riverside police officer Michael Crain honored and buried in Riverside (Photos, Map)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Listen 2:58
Update: Riverside police officer Michael Crain honored and buried in Riverside (Photos, Map)

Before an audience of thousands of people — including Gov. Jerry Brown and hundreds of police officers in full dress uniform — Regina Crain stood before a microphone at the Grove Community Church Wednesday and remembered her husband, Riverside Police officer Michael Crain.

“I’m going to miss our weekends. That was our bonding time," said Crain, whose husband Christopher Dorner allegedly shot and killed last week. "Family was just so important to him," she added. "There was nothing he would not do.”

Including dance ballet with his daughter.

“When the baby started dancing, I was working, and there was a ‘Mommy and Me’ class. It became a ‘Daddy and Me’ class," she said. She emailed the teacher recently who told her: " It just really stood out in her mind what a loving and devoted father he was to be in a ballet class dancing with this baby.”

Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz delivered the official eulogy. He described Crain as a tough man, who was also known for being gentle and kind. Diaz fought back tears as he spoke directly to Crain’s children, 10-year-old son Ian and four-year-old daughter Kaitlyn.

 “Your dad was a tough guy,” he said. Crain, an 11-year police veteran and former Marine, was also a great friend — and a great listener, Diaz added.

Crain served with the Riverside Police Department's SWAT team and also worked as a firearms instructor and a field training officer.

Sponsored message

Riverside resident Jeanne Malcuit came to the church to honor the fallen officer. She was awestruck by the size of the crowd.

 “It’s overwhelming to see,” she said, standing outside the church in a residential neighborhood. She felt compelled to show support for Riverside Police Department and was touched by the oversized American flag that officers hoisted between two fire trucks at the entrance to the church grounds.

Crain was killed on Feb.7 during an ambush at a stoplight, according to police. At the time, Crain was on patrol with a trainee officer, who was also injured.

Police officers were seen patrolling rooftops, and SWAT officers with dogs walked the perimeter of the Grove Community Church before the service.

RELATED: LAPD manhunt: The search for alleged cop killer Christopher Dorner

After the funeral, an elaborate motorcade including dozens of black-and-white patrol cars and fleets of motorcycles escorted the hearse carrying Crain’s casket to the second ceremony at Riverside National Cemetery. Community members gathered along the route holding signs of support and waving American flags.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers from throughout Southern California attended the event. Some were in tears; others hugged each other and shared stories of Crain.

Sponsored message

“This brings closure,” Vernon police chief Daniel Calleros said at the cemetery. “It gives us the opportunity to begin to heal and move forward in our lives."

This story has been updated.

Michael Crain Funeral Procession Maps by scprweb

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today