Thousands turned out today for the funeral of Marine veteran and slain Riverside Police Officer Michael Crain at Grove Community Church in Riverside.
Law enforcement officials say Crain was shot to death February 7 by rogue ex-LAPD cop Christopher Dorner. Crain was on patrol at the time with a trainee officer, and parked at a stoplight.
As Home Post reported earlier this week, Crain joined the Marine Corps about a year after graduating Redlands High School. He was then deployed twice to 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. After returning from Kuwait, Crain was based at at Camp Pendleton, where he taught Military Operations in Urban Terrain.
The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reports Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz spoke at the funeral, describing Crain as a family man:
"Mike was proud to serve his country. He loved being a policeman. He enjoyed the company of his friends, but he lived for his family. He was, above all else, a family man."
Crain leaves behind his wife, Regina, son, 10-year-old son Ian, and 4-year-old daughter Kaitlyn.
(Video of funeral procession courtesy of the San Bernardino Sun.)
