Roll of Honor
Incident
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.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-787D6174- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Krings gave the California Highway Patrol 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Dale M. Krings served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Dale M. Krings 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At California Highway Patrol, 71 of 233 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dale M. Krings's cause is highlighted.
How Dale M. Krings Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dale M. Krings is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dale M. Krings was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
232 officers from California Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
