Murdered Officers at Washington Coffee Shop Identified as Mark Renninger, Tina Griswold, Greg Richards and Ronald Owens

The Lakewood police officers killed today have been identified. Sgt. Mark Renninger was first identified on Facebook and WFMZ's web site. He grew up in Lehigh Valley, Pa., and was born in Bethlehem. He served in the military. According to WFMZ, he is one of six siblings. He was a member of the Lakewood SWAT team.

Renninger and three other officers lost their lives this morning. No other persons in the Forza Coffee shop were hurt. A Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman says one man fled on foot and he may have had an accomplice. One of Mr. Renninger's brothers, Matthew Renninger, is a former Easton police officer who accidentally shot and killed fellow Officer Jesse Sollman back in 2005. Mark Renninger is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

Lakewood Police Chief Bret Farrar publicly identified the four slain police officers and issued the following statement:

“All four of our slain officers had been with this department since it started five years ago.  Sergeant Mark Renninger and Officers Tina Griswold, Greg Richards and Ronald Owens were police veterans when they started and all have been outstanding professionals. This is a very difficult time for our families and our officers.  The families will have many challenges ahead of them and we ask that their privacy be respected. Please keep our families and Lakewood Police in your prayers.”

Officer Tina Griswold was 40. She had 14 years of law enforcement experience. She is survived by her husband and two children. She's a former Lacey police officer. She was awarded a lifesaving medal in July.

Officer Greg Richards was 42. He had eight years of law enforcement experience and is survived by his wife and three children. He's a former Kent police officer.

Officer Ronald Owens was 37. He had 12 years of law enforcement experience and is survived by a former wife and a daughter. He used to work for the Washington State Patrol.

The Lakewood Police department said all four fallen officers joined the Lakewood Police Department as it was forming. "They are good people. They will be missed," Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said.

Photo credit:  Mark Renninger, WFM , Three other officers, The News Tribune