Murrieta Police to Attend Slain Riverside Officer's Funeral

Murrieta police will join law enforcement personnel from around the state Wednesday to pay their final respects to the Riverside lawman slain last week in what was described by Riverside's police chief as a "cowardly ambush" at the hands of Christopher Dorner, an ex-Los Angeles police officer.

State and local dignitaries such as Gov. Jerry Brown, along with military veterans, colleagues, friends and loved ones will all gather to mourn Riverside police Officer Michael Crain in a funeral service at Grove Community Church.

Services for the 34-year-old officer and former Marine are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. All Riverside Police Department personnel are expected to be on hand to honor their fallen brother.

They will not be alone.

"Yes, we will be sending members of our honor guard detail, as well as other uniformed patrol to pay our respects," said Murrieta police Lt. Rob Firmes.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department will be providing law enforcement response in the city of Riverside until Wednesday evening.

Ceremonies get under way at 8 a.m. with the movement of Crain's casket from Acheson and Graham Mortuary at Magnolia Avenue and Jefferson Street to Grove Community Church, 19900 Grove Community Drive. A police detail will escort the hearse to the house of worship, where eulogies are slated to begin at 10:30 a.m.

A number of people, including Riverside police Chief Sergio Diaz and members of Crain's family, will speak during the memorial. The service is expected to last until around noon, when Crain's remains will be borne to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd.

Along with multiple police agencies, veterans organizations, including the Patriot Guard Riders and the American Legion Riders, will join the procession. A flag ceremony, honor guard gun salute and flyover are scheduled at the cemetery.

—City News Service and Maggie Avants contributed to this report.