(The obituaries for the four officers follow this story.)
Nearly 20,000 law officers, friends and family came to the Tacoma Dome Dec. 8 to pay their respects to Lakewood Police officers Greg Richards, Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens and Sgt. Mark Renninger.
The four officers were killed Nov. 29 at a Parkland coffee shop, by a lone gunmen. The Dec. 8 service saw attendance from law officers hailing from across the nation, as well as from Canada. Officer Richards was a former Kent Policeman, having started his law-enforcement career in Kent.
In memory of Greg Richards
January 1967-Nov. 29, 2009
Officer Gregory James Richards was born January 1967 in Lynnwood, Calif., to parents James and Freda Richards.
His early childhood was spent in Diamond Bar, Calif.
From the age of 7, he lived in Hacienda Heights, Calif., where he became interested in music and began learning to play the drums – passions throughout his life.
At Glen A. Wilson High School, Richards was in the Wilson Wildcat marching band. While a senior, he performed at President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in Washington, D.C.
Once graduating high school, Richards enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1985. He was stationed at Fort Lewis as a member of C Company Second Battalion Infantry. While stationed there, he received a Good Conduct Medal, the Humanitarian Service award and a marksman’s badge. He was honorably discharged Jan. 6, 1989.
During this time, Richards met his future wife, Kelly Mitchell. They married May 22, 1992, and had three children: Austin, age 17; Jami-Mae, 15; and Gavin, 10.
Richards was employed by Simpson Timber in Tacoma, prior to his decision to become a police officer. Once he graduated from the Police Academy, he chose to begin his career at the Kent Police Department. He then left Kent to become one of the original (founding) officers of the Lakewood Police Department.
On Nov. 29, Richards lost his life protecting his fellow officers, after a lone gunman came into the coffee shop where they were working and opened fire.
“He was a true hero in everyone’s eyes.”
Richards is survived by his widow, Kelly, and their three children; his father James M. Richards; a brother, Gary Richards; sisters Gayle Goellner and Gabrielle Boole; his in-laws Margaret and Larry Mitchell, Kim Thornton, Melanie Burwell; nieces and nephews EJ Goellner, Falon and Mallory Boole, Arianna, Olivia and Dallas Thornton, Marissa, Mitchell and Maddie-Lynn Burwell.
In memory of Sgt. Mark Renninger
Aug. 13, 1970 – Nov. 29, 2009
Sgt. Mark Renninger was born in Bethlehem, Penn., on Aug. 13, 1970. He grew up in Bethlehem, where he graduated from Liberty High School in 1989.
He joined the U.S. Army in August, 1989, where he became active with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga.
He later came to Fort Lewis in 1993, where he was assigned to the Second Ranger Battalion and was honorably discharged in 1996.
Renninger was hired by the Tukwila Police Department and quickly became a leader in the patrol unit.
While in Tukwila, Renninger was active with the Community Oriented Policing Unit, the Pro-Act Team and eventually found his dream assignment as a SWAT officer in 2001.
Over time Renninger became an instructor in rifle/shotgun, non lethal applications and Defensive Tactics Level I and II. He later became a well-respected instructor of SRT/SWAT Basic and High Risk Entry Team, both locally and nationally with Washington State Training Officers Assocation and the National Training Officers Association.
Renninger brought these talents to the Lakewood Police Department in December 2004. He worked as a patrol officer and later served in the Neighborhood Patrol Officer Unit before being promoted to patrol sergeant in 2008. He joined the Metro SWAT Team in April 2005, where he became the team leader. He brought his knowledge, experience, stability, wisdom and gift for teaching with him.
Renninger was devoted family man who is survived by his wife Kim, daughters Letra and Allison and son Nicholas. He always made it a point to leave work at the office and to concentrate on the family at home. He was a devoted fan of Penn State Football, as evidenced by his collection of Penn State memorabilia and constant promotion of his team around the station/
Renninger also was an avid fan of NASCAR. He attended several races and was always looking forward to finding another race to attend.
As a police officer, Renninger was awarded the Medal of Merit, The Core Values Award, Distinguished Service Award and the Chief’s Commendation. His sharp sense of humor, strong work ethic, professionalism and bright teaching abilities will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
In memory of Tina Griswold
Jan. 28, 1969 – Nov. 29, 2009
Officer Tina Griswold was born in Port Angeles, Wash., on Jan. 28, 1969. She started her law-enforcement career as a dispatcher with the Shelton Police Department and was later hired by the Lakewood Police Department in 2004.
Griswold was a dedicated mother of two children, Nicole and Marcus, a loving wife, “an awesome friend and a great little sister.”
Griswold took great pride in what she did and worked hard serving the community as a police officer. She loved her job. During her career, she worked as a patrol officer, a school resource officer, and an investigator with Special Operations, which included performing in an undercover capacity.
A little-known fact about Griswold is that she was the only woman in the Lacey Police Department to complete SWAT training. She was only 5 feet tall and 98 pounds, but Griswold “believed in her heart that she was 6-foot, 2-inches, and weighed 220.”
Griswold was always eager for a good debate, which generally focused on politics. She was a true conservative and wasn’t afraid to share her thoughts. Griswold’s faith in God and country never wavered.
In memory of Ronald Owens
Dec. 2, 1971 – Nov. 29, 2009
Officer “Ronnie” Owens was born Dec. 2, 1971 in Tacoma. He attended and graduated from Washington High School in 1990, where he excelled at basketball and baseball. After high school, he attended Walla Walla Community College and played baseball for one year, until an injury ended his career.
Owens was employed with Pierce County Public Works and eventually was hired by the Washington State Patrol in 1997, graduating from the WSP academy’s 83rd basic training class.
He was assigned to District 2 and patrolled Interstate 5 through downtown Seattle. He was a member of the WSP’s Civil Disobedience Action Team and a veteran of the World Trade Organization riots in 1999.
Owens later transferred to District 1 and patrolled along the I-5 corridor through Tacoma, until accepting a lateral police officer position with the Lakewood Police Department in 2004.
Owens worked in the Traffic Enforcement Unit and later was reassigned to swing shift patrol from 2006-2008, working Lakewood’s south districts. He transferred to day shift patrol in 2008, where he remained until his death.
During his 12-year career, Owens was awarded several police commendations recognizing his work ethic, determination and dependability.
Owens stood 6-foot, 4-inches and weighed 220 pounds. Even though his stature was large, he was known for his positive, upbeat and carefree nature – “always ready to make you laugh.”
He was a dedicated and loving father, enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending time with his daughter and family. He was an avid fan of NASCAR and Motocross racing.
Owens is preceded in death by his father Ronald Owens, a retired Tacoma Police Department sergeant. He is survived by his mother Ramona, daughter Madison, sisters Ronda and Shannon and many nieces and nephews.
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