California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch: Monday, May 21, 1962
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 2046
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 21, 1962
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Officer Dale Krings was shot and killed when he was ambushed in a restaurant by a mental patient.
He and his partner were nearing the end of their graveyard shift when they stopped by the shop to have coffee. As they were sitting there, the man walked up, said something to the officers, then pulled out a rifle and shot Officer Krings. Although mortally wounded, Officer Krings was able to return fire and kill the suspect. The suspect was a regular patron of the restaurant and had been overheard several times stating he hated police officers.
Officer Krings was a United States Navy World War II and Korean War veteran and had served with the California Highway Patrol for six years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.