Darryl M. Rantanen

MI State Police — Lansing, MI

Felonious

End of Watch May 27, 1974

Age 36

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

The Vigil Panel 113 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 56

Incident

Trooper Darryl Rantanen was killed when the patrol car he was riding in was forced off the roadway during a pursuit of a stolen vehicle on U.S. 2 just west of M-69. During the pursuit, Trooper Rantanen's partner attempted to pass the vehicle. Before he could do so, the juvenile driver swerved into the patrol car, causing it to turn on its side and strike a tree. His partner was seriously injured in the crash. The 16-year-old was later arrested, convicted of manslaughter, intent to do great bodily harm, and sentenced to nine to 25 years in prison. Trooper Rantanen had served with the Michigan State Police for eight years. He was survived by his wife and four children. In 2021 a section of U.S. 2/U.S. 41 between Hyde and Bark River was designated as the Darryl M. Rantanen Memorial Highway.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-839A522A
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Rantanen gave the Michigan State Police 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Rantanen.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department MI State Police

Location Lansing, MI

Platform Identity msp.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 27, 1974

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

Age 36

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile

Offender stolen vehicle

Trooper Darryl M. Rantanen is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At MI State Police, 27 of 57 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.4% of this agency's fallen.

MI State Police

of 57 officers

47.4% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious