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Darryl M. Rantanen
Trooper

Darryl M. Rantanen

MI State Police — Lansing, MI
Felonious
United States flag Michigan flag
End of Watch May 27, 1974
Age 36
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
The Vigil Panel 113 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 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

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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 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
Type State Police
Location Lansing, Ingham County, 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

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Darryl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Darryl was 36. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Darryl had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

MI State Police has 57 officers remembered here, Darryl among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Trooper Darryl M. Rantanen

MI State Police · End of Watch May 27, 1974

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W

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