Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Michael Ren was shot and killed after being called to assist a Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputy serving two felony warrants on a recently released mental patient. The subject was wanted for violating the terms of his release from a state mental health facility. Patrolman Ren spotted the subject driving a pickup truck, and a high-speed chase ensued. During the chase, the subject 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 subject crashed in the town of Eureka. As Patrolman Ren pulled up, the subject 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 place. 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, a 5-year-old son, and his parents. In 2000 Patrolman Ren's son joined the Montana Highway Patrol.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, a 5-year-old son, and his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MT-6B729952- 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.
Patrolman Ren gave the Montana Highway Patrol 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Montana, 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
Michael M. Ren served in the Air Force (1965â1969) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Michael M. Ren 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 MT, 93 of 142 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.5% of this state's fallen. That is 11.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Montana Highway Patrol, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael M. Ren's cause is highlighted.
How Michael M. Ren Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael M. Ren is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael M. Ren was killed by rifle; .308 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Montana Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
