Officer Michael Rainford

End of Watch
November 7, 1980

Biography
Michael Rainford began his law enforcement career with the Garden Grove Police Department as a reserve officer. Mike Rainford quickly earned the respect and trust of all that worked with him and was noted for his ever-present smile and cheerful personality. On November 7, 1980, Officer Rainford was on patrol when he saw a traffic violation on Harbor Boulevard and followed the violator onto the Westbound Garden Grove Freeway on-ramp. It was a normal car stop for a traffic violation, however, Officer Rainford never made it to the violator. He was struck by a drunk driver and fatally injured.