Law Enforcement Remembers Deputy Killed by Dorner

Deputy Jeremiah MacKay remembered as a man with a ‘big heart’

By BVN Staff

As the local law enforcement community was mourning the loss of one of their own with the untimely death of Riverside Police Officer Michael Crain, they were struck another blow as former ex- LAPD officer Christopher Dorner claimed another victim during his standoff in the San Bernardino mountains.

During the pursuit and eventual end to the Dorner standoff, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah MacKay became Dorner’s fourth victim. According to San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon, MacKay suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to Loma Linda Medical Center where he died of his injuries.

MacKay, 35, leaves to two children (7-year-old daughter, 4- month-old son) and a wife. Alex Collins, another deputy shot during the pursuit and gunfire remained hospitalized after undergoing multiple surgeries.

Last week, in a somber ceremony, MacKay’s body was transported to a local mortuary as bagpipes played by the Honor Guard during the impromptu processional.

MacKay, who worked in Big Bear and Yucaipa, was a 15-year veteran with the department and was promoted to detective in 2006. He served at the Twin Peaks sheriff's station for two years before working out of the Big Bear area and then Yucaipa.

Known for his big heart, MacKay served as the Sergeant-in-Arms of the Inland Empire Emerald Society, an organization that provides financial support to the families of Inland Empire law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Messages on a Facebook tribute page range from condolences to the family to inspirational messages. One such post states: “I would just like to say our fallen officers have not come to their ‘End of Watch’ but promoted to a much higher position. Their squad cars have been replaced with wings. They are now Angels in heaven doing what they loved and lived for, protecting us. They made us feel safer and I feel even more protected now knowing they are still watching over us! God love them all!” Another post reads: “How appropriate that he’s named after the “Weeping Prophet.”

Funeral services for MacKay are held Feb. 21 at the San Manuel Amphitheatre.

Manhunt for Ex-LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner Ends in More Bloodshed

Riverside Police Department, Sheriff's department mourn loss of fallen officers

By BVN Staff

The week-long manhunt for former Los Angeles Police Department officer Christopher Jordan Dorner came to an end Tuesday after it was confirmed Dorner was found dead following a shootout with Sheriff's deputies in Big Bear.

Authorities were alerted a suspect believed to be Dorner was in the Big Bear area after he attempted to tie up two maids in a cabin. One maid escaped and called authorities and deputies were dispatched to the area.

Two deputies were shot and wounded during a gun battle with the man suspected to be Dorner. The deputies were airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center where one officer succumbed to his injuries. The suspect ran and barricaded himself in a cabin.

Authorities reported several gunshots in the cabin before it caught fire. When the blaze died down, a body believed to be Dorner was found inside the cabin.

During the ordeal, four Big Bear schools were on lockdown as Riverside, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino and Los Angeles police personnel continued their investigation.

Before the shootout began, LAPD Lt. Commander Smith during a press conference urged Dorner to turn himself in. “Enough is enough,” he said. “ Let’s not have any further bloodshed. It’s time to turn yourself in.”

On Monday, the law enforcement community, Riverside community and Southern California residents remembered the life of fallen Riverside Police Department officer identified Sunday as Michael Crain, a decorated Marine who leaves behind a wife and two young children.

Crain’s funeral held at The Grove Community Church, Riverside, was standing room only to remember a man who fellow officers said was a great cop.

Dorner, who has eluded law enforcement for nearly a week, allegedly gunned Crain down last week while on patrol. A $1 million dollar reward has been offered in the capture and conviction of Dorner.

Officer Michael Crain was born in Anaheim, California to Stephen and Cindy Crain on April 9, 1978. He was the oldest of three children and had a brother, Jason, and sister, Leslie. He was raised in the Riverside area and graduated from Redlands High School in 1996.

After high school, Mike attended Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa for a year prior to enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He served two deployment tours in 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. He was then stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA, where he taught Military Operations in Urban Terrain. During his military service, Mike was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 star, a Certificate of Commendation, and the Rifle Marksmanship Badge.

After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Mike joined the Riverside Police Department. He graduated from the Riverside Sheriff’s Academy, class #152, and was sworn in as a Riverside Police Officer on August 24, 2001.

Following his graduation from the Field Training Program, he was assigned to Field Operations as a patrol officer. During his 11-year tenure with the Riverside Police Department, Mike served as a patrol officer, and was assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. He had also served as a Helicopter Observer, a Field Training Officer, a Firearms Instructor, and had been assigned to the University Neighborhood Enhancement Team (UNET).

In a written statement by the Riverside Police Department, the community has been asked to direct all contributions to the Riverside Police Officers Association.

“In response to the many requests, the following information is provided should anyone wish to make a donation to the family of our fallen police officer. Such donations will be provided to the family through the Riverside Police Officers Association in order to assist the family with the many financial needs they will undoubtedly face. Please mail checks to: Riverside Police Officers Association Assistance Fund or RPOA, 1965 Chicago Ave, Suite B., Riverside, California 92507.” This past Monday, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges against Dorner for the murder of Crain and the attempted murder of three others.

Before Tuesday, Dorner has been charged with one count of murder with two special circumstance allegations of the murder of a peace officer and the discharge of a firearm from a vehicle. He also has been charged with three counts of attempted murder of a peace officer. The case number is RIF1300248. The special circumstance allegations make Dorner eligible for the death penalty. A no-bail warrant for Dorner’s arrest has also now been issued.

“Mr. Dorner has committed one of the most horrific crimes imaginable,” DA Zellerbach said. “When those who protect us every day then become the target for violence, we as a society must become the ‘eyes and ears’ in assisting law enforcement in apprehending this very violent person.”

Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz said, “We are confident that Dorner will be captured and that he will face judgment for his horrific and cowardly crimes. The District Attorney’s Office and the Riverside Police Department have been working side by side since the murder of Officer Michael Crain and we will continue to do so until this is resolved.”

Dorner is charged with the Feb. 7, 2013, murder of Crain, an 11-year-veteran of the department. Crain, a department training officer, was in a marked RPD patrol car with his trainee when Dorner fired a rifle from inside his vehicle, killing Crain and critically injuring the second officer. That officer’s name is not being released at this time.

Dorner is also charged with shooting at two Los Angeles police officers in Corona prior to the murder of the Riverside police officer. The two LAPD officers were in Corona to provide protection for someone Dorner has named in his so-called manifesto. One officer was grazed on the head and the second uninjured in that shooting.

Bishop Lacy Sykes, Jr., Senior Pastor/Teacher of Cross Word Christian Church said, "It's always tragic when we allow our emotions to outweigh rational thinking. Mr. Dorner responded to the pressures we all feel in this life the wrong way. I have personally been the victim of a wrongful termination. The emotional roller coaster can be overwhelming, but responding violently is always the wrong response. Even if his claims of racial discrimination are found to have merit, they will fall on deaf ears. Lives have senselessly been destroyed and that is never within the will of God."

Attorney General Kamala Harris expressed her condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Crain: “This officer's death is a senseless loss. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Our hearts go out to his family and friends, and to the Riverside Police Department.”

Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family members and friends of the Riverside Police Officers who were ambushed earlier this week. I join the Riverside community and the Riverside Police Department in mourning the loss of the slain officer and promise that his dedication and service will not be forgotten.”

SB Bankruptcy Plan Talks Called “Intractable”

Councilman Rikke Van Johnson urges outside financial help

Chris Levister

SAN BERNARDINO - As the public battle rages over fixing a $45.8 million budget deficit members of the San Bernardino City Council remained mired in acrimony on Wednesday raising the risk of deepening default, unnecessary layoffs and has some members asking the pivotal question: “Are we up to the task of adopting a plan acceptable to the bankruptcy court?”

“No”. That’s Sixth Ward Councilman Rikke Van Johnson. “We’re essentially in a state of paralysis.”

Johnson says the council’s lack of fundamental financial expertise compounded by the bickering, blaming and sniping between the council, mayor and city attorney has set off unprecedented partisanship and intensified accusations from warring factions on the council.”

He said negotiations on a “pendency” plan have become intractable. The pendency is a day-to-day budget designed to guide the council until the court approves a long-term plan to restructure the city's debt.

Under Chapter 9, bankruptcy rules courts lack authority to interfere with a city's "property or revenues" or its "political or governmental powers."

“The time has come to get some outside help,” said Johnson. “How are we going to come up with an actual pendency plan if we’re still deeply mired in acrimony over the Fire Department budget?”

The council’s lack of knowledge governing the Chapter 9 bankruptcy process reared its head last week when Councilman Robert Jenkins asked when the plan will go to the court.

“It won’t,” said City Attorney Jim Penman.

“You could see jaws drop” said Johnson. The city must give the court a balanced budget first. That means a lot more cuts.

Last month the council voted for bankruptcy to deal with the budget gap, and the city’s inability to make payroll for its employees. The local insolvency is attributed to loss of revenue from foreclosures, lost redevelopment dollars as part of the state mandate last year, and the police and fire departments’ salary and pension impact on the General Fund. Public safety including police, fire and code enforcement accounts for 75 percent of the city’s budget.

The pendency plan the council approved September 5 called for $22.4 million in cuts and another $9.4 million in labor negotiations. The council made several modifications to the plan which included delaying a recommended $3.5 million cut to the Fire Department. 89 employees have left voluntarily since July 10 when the city announced that it intended to file Chapter 9 bankruptcy. The cuts if fully implemented would leave a $7.1 million general fund deficit.

Much of the bickering has focused on union contracts. The biggest clash is over the interim fire chief’s plan for rotating closures of the three least-busy fire stations. Some council members have been adamant that stations in their wards not close. “There are some members of this body who have been brought by the unions. Now they’re cashing in their chips,” he said. This accusation was also made by Mayor Patrick Morris and other members of the council. Johnson points to campaign contributions by the San Bernardino Professional Firefighters and San Bernardino Police Officers Association.

“I think the fire union in particular has told elected officials who depend on union contributions for their election that they are unwilling to take any budget reduction or rank and file layoffs.”

Council members have also butted heads over a waste-disposal deal vetoed by the Mayor in August. The proposal has been discussed and rejected several times.

Johnson was incredulous that reasonable compromise proposals put forth have been patently rejected by “these elected members” despite recommendations from city staff including Finance Director Jason Simpson.

“We can’t expect to agree on a governing plan when we’ve got elected members who can’t distant themselves from the lure of union dollars,” said Johnson.

“I’m not optimist that we as elected leaders are capable of making the tough decisions to show the court we can fix this city. So far we’ve failed miserably.”