Lakewood lost four police officers Sunday.

Nine children lost a parent.

The killing of the four reverberates deep within the community. The slain were siblings, parents, children, friends, co-workers and relatives.

“All great officers. All with young families,” said former Lakewood Police Chief Larry Saunders, who hired the officers. “Horrific tragedy.”

The slain officers joined the Lakewood Police Department when it formed five years ago.

“They are good people,” Pierce County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Ed Troyer said. “They will be missed,”

SGT. MARK RENNINGER

Renninger was a Pennsylvania native who came to Washington state during his time in the military. His family, in a short statement, called him “a professional, dedicated police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

He leaves behind a wife and three children.

“More importantly, he was a loving and devoted father, husband and family member who will be missed by many,” said his brother Matt Renninger.

Mark Renninger, 39, was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pa., according to a report from WFMZ-TV. He spent eight years with the Tukwila Police Department and five with the Lakewood Police Department.

The officer was on the board of directors and served as the chief financial officer of the Washington State Tactical Officers Association. He taught the group’s basic course.

OFFICER TINA GRISWOLD

Griswold, 40, was married and the mother of two children.

A 14-year law enforcement veteran, she joined the Lakewood Police Department five years ago after serving with the Lacey Police Department, Lacey Police Chief Dusty Pierpoint said Sunday.

She was a member of that department’s tactical team, which undertook high-risk missions, Pierpoint said.

“She was a good officer,” the chief said. “She was very energetic and got involved in a lot of things. She was very well-liked.

“I know the Lacey Police Department is having a very hard time with this. It’s hit very close to home.”

In July, Lakewood Police Chief Brett Farrar presented Griswold with the department’s Lifesaving Award, according to a city manager’s report. What she did to earn that award was not disclosed.

OFFICER RONALD OWENS

Owens, 37, had 12 years of law enforcement experience. He previously worked for the Washington State Patrol. A spokesman for the State Patrol said the agency would release information about Owens today.

Owens is survived by a former wife and a daughter.

“Officer Owens was the officer on scene at a traffic accident I was involved in two months ago,” wrote one mourner on the Facebook social networking web site. “He was very kind and considerate. He and I spoke recently about the accident he was concerned that I was OK. I appreciated his efforts to make me feel better.”

OFFICER GREG RICHARDS

Richards was married and had three children.

His law enforcement career spanned eight years, including five years with the Lakewood Police Department and previous work as an officer in Kent. He was 42.

News Tribune staff writers Scott Fontaine, Adam Lynn, Melissa Santos and David Wickert compiled this report.