By Mike Hazlip–
During a memorial service on Tuesday, a Citrus Heights police lieutenant recalled his friendship and experience working with Ty Lenehan, an Elk Grove police officer who was killed last month by a wrong way driver.
Speaking during a Feb. 1 service at Bayside Church Adventure Campus in Roseville, Lieut. Chad Morris said Lenehan’s first steps into law enforcement were with the Citrus Heights Police Department around a decade ago. Morris said he and Lenehan shared a common background as “private sector defectors,” noting the two first worked in private sector jobs before starting their law enforcement careers.
In an email to The Sentinel on Wednesday, Morris said Lenehan could have continued the family business as an electrician, but chose law enforcement after completing his service in the Air Force.
“He decided on the latter and never looked back,” Morris wrote.
Lenehan served as a reserve officer in Citrus Heights from Dec. 10, 2012 through June 28, 2014. He later served for two years in the Galt Police Department, before joining the force in Elk Grove in 2016.
Morris recalled how he first met Lenehan through a mutual friend, and how Lenehan later approached him about joining law enforcement. Morris told him the profession had personally been extremely rewarding, but recalled giving him a “disclaimer” that he tells others who ask the same question: it’s a dangerous job.
“I never realized that that disclaimer would become real,” Morris told the audience at the memorial, pausing to keep his composure. He also said one of the last text messages he got from Lenehan said, “I’m loving life. I have my dream job, and I wish I could do this forever.”
In other remarks, Morris described Lenehan as a “great guy” with an infectious smile, and said he admired Lenehan’s attitude.
“Ty loved his church, and he loved his faith,” the lieutenant said. “And most of all Ty loved his family. He loved his wife Jessica and his kids, Sidney and Austin. He was always talking about them.”
After playing a voicemail he had saved from Lenehan, an emotional Morris closed his remarks by saying: “Ty, I love you brother. Until we meet again.”
In a statement to The Sentinel, Citrus Heights Police Chief Alex Turcotte said Lenehan made many lasting friendships within the department and said his badge, No. 39, has been officially retired in his honor.
“He is fondly remembered for his contagious smile, strong work ethic, and being a genuine human being that loved to keep people laughing,” said Turcotte. “Our Citrus Heights Community will never forget our friend and hero, Officer Lenehan.”
Lenehan was killed Jan. 21 while on his way to work with the Elk Grove Police Department when a suspected drunk driver entered Highway 99 and traveled northbound in the southbound lanes. Lenehan was riding his police motorcycle and was struck head-on near the 12th Avenue exit. No other vehicles were involved, according to reports.
A memorial fund has been set up by CAHP Credit Union. Texas Roadhouse in Citrus Heights is also donating 20% of each food purchase to Lenehan’s family for orders received through Thursday, Feb. 3, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
A full recording of Tuesday’s memorial service can be viewed on Youtube.
