By admin 
The Elk Grove Police Department rededicated its building Wednesday after the city’s first officer to die in the line of duty.
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Motor officer Tyler “Ty” Lenehan, 44, was riding his department-issued motorcycle south on Highway 99 near 47th Avenue on Jan. 21, 2022, when a driver traveling the wrong way in a 2016 Dodge Challenger struck him, knocking him off the motorcycle and killing him.
The department’s headquarters at 8400 Laguna Palms Way is now known as the Ty Lenehan Public Safety Center and Council Chambers.
Lenehan served six years with the Elk Grove Police Department after previously working for the Galt and Citrus Heights police departments.
“To the Lenehan family — please know that this community stands with you,” said Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie SIngh-Allen. “We honor Ty’s memory. We share in your pride. And we remain forever grateful.”
He achieved his dream assignment as a motor officer in 2021, about a year before his death.
Lenehan’s family described him as “a bright light of personality,” saying in a statement released by the department that he dedicated his life outside law enforcement to his family and church community and “performed innumerable acts of charity and kindness and blessed many lives with his personality, love and humility.”
Elk Grove Assistant Police Chief Brian Schopf spoke Wednesday about Lenehan’s personality.
“My memories of Ty are funny,” he said. “He was just a likable, happy-go-lucky person and that’s really the personality that we want to have with our community.”
He said that he hoped that time spent at the memorial would honor Lenehan in the best possible way.
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“If you spend time here, let it be time of reflection, let it be time of looking forward, enjoying what we do, how we do it, and celebrate Ty’s life.”
In January 2022, Elk Grove residents gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor Lenehan’s legacy.
A few days later, hundreds of community members gathered outside the Elk Grove Police Department to pay their respects. Nine motorcycle officers led the motorcade carrying Lenehan through the city to the community of Rescue and Green Valley Mortuary.
In April 2023, the department unveiled a banner that will remain permanently displayed on Elk Grove streets. The city’s banners honor residents who served in the military. A banner honoring Lenehan, a former Air Force senior airman, hangs among them.
A stretch of Highway 99 also was designated the Police Officer Tyler “Ty” Lenehan Memorial Highway.
In May 2023, members of California’s law enforcement community gathered at the state Capitol to honor nine officers, including Lenehan, who were killed in the line of duty over the previous two years.
During the ceremony, Lenehan’s name and the names of eight other officers were added to the California Peace Officers’ Memorial near the Capitol, joining more than 1,600 others.
This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 4:01 PM.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly said the Police Department building was new. It was constructed in 1997 and renovated for the department’s use in 2000, according to public records.
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