Kids & Family
Dorner Victim, Redlands High Grad Honored in Memorial Day Ceremony
Riverside Police Officer, who grew up in Southern California and graduated from Redlands High School, was honored for his service in the U.S. Marine Corps Monday in Beaumont.
More than 100 people gathered in front of Beaumont Civic Center Monday to pay tribute to those locals who served in the armed forces or gave their lives to our nation while doing so. Among those, was Redlands High grad Michael Crain, who was gunned down earlier this year in the manhunt for Christopher Dorner.
In a somber ceremony hosted by the Beaumont City Council, attendees were greeted with a presentation of colors by the police department and other opening traditions.
The highlight of the event, though, was the reading of the names added this year to Beaumont's Veteran's Memorial Wall. A total of 19 were added, as follows:
- Albert A. Hershey— Army
- James H. Henington— Army
- Fredrick E. DeLange— Navy
- John L. Olsten— Air Force
- Richard Rios— Navy
- John R. Richardson— Army
- Joseph E. Davis— Army
- John B. Carter— Army/Navy
- Trinidad L. Estrada— National Guard
- David C. Lira— Army
- James C. Collins— Army
- Harold A. Gaige— Army
- Royal C. French— Air Force
- Paul W. Quai— Marine Corps
- Robert R. Campbell— Navy
- Courtney P. Rowell— Navy
- Kenneth C. Gillispie— Marine Corps
- James L. Daughtery— Air Force
- Michael D. Crain— Marine Corps
Police have said Crain didn't even have time to fire off his own weapon while attacked in a "cowardly ambush" by notorious multi-murder suspect Chris Dorner, who evaded police for nearly a week while he claimed to take out a vendetta against the LAPD and law enforcement.
"It was bittersweet," said wife Regina Crain, who took part in Monday's ceremony. "Of course we want him to be honored and always be honored, but it's a sad time for us, too. It's all very fresh."
Escorted by Beaumont Police Chief Frank Coe and Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff, Crain laid a wreath on the memorial, prior to honors bestowed by the VFW Post 233.
"Hearing the 21 gun salute and the taps played is hard and I'm assuming it always will be, but all in all it's nice to see his name up on a wall," she told Patch, adding that this the first memorial to inscribe Michael's name.
"I don't even have words," she said of the community support present at the event. "They've all come together so well, and I can't even express my thanks. This is such a nice community, such a small town feel and I love how patriotic this community is."
Sheriff Sniff said the moment was moving for him, too. He stopped by the event, in between his appearances at the West Coast Thunder parade in Riverside and another celebration planned in Moreno Valley Monday evening.
"That was very emotional today," Sniff said. "I think it's quite fitting that [Crain's recognition] was a part of it, as he also was a veteran, and it reminds all of us of our mortality, and how in an instant things can change. It reminds everybody to hug one another and kiss your wife and family goodbye every morning and not take anything for-granted."
Sniff told Patch he was invited out to the Beaumont ceremony and he "jumped at the opportunity" to honor those who've served.
"I think these remembrances are all very important as far as honoring those that are fallen, and it's impacted every single family in every single community..." he said.
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