Montana Highway Patrol, Montana
End of Watch Saturday, April 8, 1978
Add to My HeroesMichael M. Ren
Patrolman Michael Ren was shot and killed after being called to assist a deputy from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office in serving two felony warrants on a recently released mental patient. The suspect was wanted for violating the terms of his release from a state mental health facility. Patrolman Ren spotted the suspect driving a pickup truck, and a high-speed chase ensued.
During the chase, the suspect retrieved a .308 rifle from inside the cab of his pickup and opened fire on both officers. Five rounds struck Patrolman Ren's patrol car before the suspect crashed in the town of Eureka. As Patrolman Ren pulled up, the suspect jumped from his truck and shot Ren in the abdomen with the .308; the round traveled between the back panels of his Kevlar vest.
The suspect ran to a nearby residence and took the household hostage. Officers from the sheriff's department, Highway Patrol, and U.S. Border Patrol surrounded the residence. After six hours, the suspect released his hostages but remained barricaded inside the house. Three canisters of tear gas were fired into the home, and the suspect surrendered. The suspect was charged with the murder of a police officer and was committed to a mental institution. He was later released and committed suicide.
Patrolman Ren was a United States Air Force veteran who served with the Montana Highway Patrol for six years assigned to District VI and previously served as a police officer in Columbia Falls, Montana, for two years. He was survived by his wife, 5-year-old son, and his parents. In 2000 Patrolman Ren's son joined the Montana Highway Patrol.
Bio
- Age 30
- Tour 8 years
- Badge 240
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle; .308 caliber
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 28 ReflectionsThinking about you.
Lexi
Granddaughter
June 17, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Sean Sluganski
McKeesport Police Department, PA
EOW: February 6, 2023

Criminal Investigator Steven A. Carnes
Tom Green County District Attorney's Office, TX
EOW: November 13, 2022

Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco, Jr.
Selma Police Department, CA
EOW: January 31, 2023

Master Patrol Officer Clarence L. "CJ" Williams
Cairo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 28, 2023

Supervisory Officer Jacqueline Montanaro
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: January 14, 2023

Police Officer Carl Douglas Kimball
St. Francisville Police Department, LA
EOW: January 12, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 13, 2023

Court Services Officer Curtis Matthew Worland
Alaska State Troopers, AK
EOW: December 13, 2022

Chief of Police Justin McIntire
Brackenridge Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: January 2, 2023