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Slain policeman now identified as Marine with two children; hunt still on for Dorner

RIVERSIDE (Wire Service) - Michael Crain, 34, was the Riverside police officer allegedly ambushed by Christopher Jordan Dorner while on routine patrol last week, Riverside's police chief revealed today, Sun., Feb. 10.

Crain was an Inland Empire native with ''a big heart'' and loved spending time with wife Regina and their children Ian, 10, and Kaitlyn, 4. Crain left ''an unforgettable impression'' on everyone he met, according to Riverside police Lt. Guy Toussaint.

''He loved attending dance recitals with his daughter and coaching his son's baseball team,'' Toussaint said. ''He also loved his classic 1970 Chevy Nova, which he spent his spare time restoring.''

Crain, a former active Marine and war veteran, was publicly identified today for the first time by the department. His name had been withheld due to concerns about the danger presented by fugitive Dorner.

Ex-Los Angeles policeman Dorner allegedly ambushed Crain and his patrol partner in their squad car at a traffic light next to the Riverside (91) Freeway. The still-unidentified second officer remained hospitalized with serious injuries and stable life signs.

Crain was born in Anaheim, was raised in the Riverside area and graduated from Redlands High School in 1996, according to a Riverside police biography released today.

Crain was the eldest of three children in his family and attended Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa for about a year after high school before joining the Marines.

Crain served two tours in Kuwait as a rifleman in the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines.

Crain was a squad leader and was promoted to the rank of sergeant during his service. He was stationed in Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, where he taught military operations on urban terrain, Toussaint said.

Following his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Crain joined the Riverside Police Department and was sworn in on Aug. 24, 2001.

During his 11 years of service, Crain was a member of the department's SWAT team and usually worked as a patrol officer.

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Funeral for (unnamed) policeman set, partner 'stable'

Riverside - A funeral is set for Wednesday for the 34-year-old Riverside police officer allegedly ambushed by Christopher Jordan Dorner while on routine patrol last week, according to Riverside Police Department officials.

A 27-year-old officer who was wounded in the ambush at a red light at Magnolia and Arlington Avenues was reported in stable and recovering from his injuries, police officials said today.

The shootings took place shortly after 1:20 a.m. Thursday morning after Dorner allegedly opened fire on two LAPD officers en route to protect someone named in his manifesto.

Dorner allegedly opened fire on them near Interstate 15 and MagnoliaAvenue, grazing one officer in the head. The officers returned fire, but Dorner escaped.

Riverside - The name of the Riverside police officer apparently slain by a vengeful Los Angeles officer still cannot be revealed, even as funeral plans are being finalized, police said today.

The name of the 11-year veteran could be released by Monday night, said Lt. Guy Toussaint, the department's public information officer.

Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz requested that the fallen officer's name be withheld by news media while the whereabouts of Christopher Jordan Dorner were unknown. Dorner is suspected of killing the officer in an assassination-style attack at a Riverside intersection Thursday.

The dead officer's partner remained hospitalized today, with serious injuries and stable life signs, Toussaint said. His name has also been withheld.

Funeral services were scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Grove Community Church, 19900 Grove Community Drive. That church was also the site of services for slain Riverside police Officer Ryan Patrick Bonaminio in November 2010.

Like that ceremony, the entire Riverside police force will turn out for Wednesday's funeral, complete with an honor guard procession that will bear the 34-year-old patrolman's casket to Riverside National Cemetery for internment.

While the police department pays homage to its slain brother, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department is expected to handle all emergency calls in the city. The unnamed officer was killed during an attack at the intersection of Arlington and Magnolia avenues around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Both he and his partner, identified only as a 27-year-old officer on a training detail, were struck in the upper bodies, according to Diaz.

Diaz described the shootings as a ''cowardly ambush.''

Donations are being accepted to assist the family of the murdered officer. All checks should be made out to Riverside Police Officers Association Assistance Fund, or RPOA, and mailed to 1965 Chicago Ave., Suite B, Riverside, Calif. 92507.

 

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