10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE MURDER OF RIVERSIDE POLICE OFFICER MIKE CRAIN

Published: 02/05/2023

On this coming Tuesday, February 7^th, many of us will be reflecting on the 10 years that have passed since the murder of Fallen Riverside Police Officer Mike Crain, and the attempted murder of his partner, now retired Officer Andrew Tachias on February 7, 2013. Leading up to this anniversary, we will share some words from Mike's widow, Regina, Mike's partner that night, Andrew, and Mike's father, Steve. Regina wanted to first share these words below with all those who knew, loved, and worked with Mike, and to the community whom he so proudly served.

"Thank you for remembering Mike. It has been a great comfort, these last ten years, knowing that he is not forgotten. As his memory lives on, I hope it gives courage to all the other heroes that are putting their lives on the line every day.

Memories of Mike still fill our home and our hearts. Mike's closest friends share uplifting and often silly stories about Mike with Kaitlyn and I. Sharing our love of him with Kaitlyn has helped her to not dwell in the grief, but instead to celebrate his life. We honor Mike by doing things that he loved. We remember Mike by going to the shooting range, listening to music, eating ice cream and chocolate donuts. At first, doing the things that Mike loved without him was so hard. Some of these things are still tough to do, and some I'm not sure if we will ever be able to do again. Doing the things that we can, gives us comfort and lets us feel closer to him.

Mike's core values of honor, hard work, respect and commitment are important in our family. Teaching Kaitlyn these values gives her a connection to her father. Today, Kaitlyn maintains a GPA above 4.0. She participates in her high school's sports program and is excelling. She is still in ballet and is now dancing en pointe. She is kind, athletic, and respectful. Mike would be so proud of the beautiful young woman that she is becoming. I will continue to do everything that I can to honor his memory by raising our child to be all that he had hoped she would be.

When Mike and I got married, our wedding vows were to make a choice every day to love each other. I choose every day to love him still, and also to live the best life I can for him. Mike wouldn't want me to be lost in grief. I choose to remember his life, not his death. He depended on me to be strong. I choose to rise to the challenges of the day. Mike loved his children. I choose to be the mother that he expected me to be to our child.

The hurt and sadness never completely go away. I will always miss Mike, but I choose love over grief. I make that choice every day. Thank you for remembering."

- Regina Crain

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