"Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Claremont (MN) Police Chief Gregory Lange
When a neighbor came to his home in the middle of the night and alerted him of a domestic disturbance nearby, Chief Lange did what he always did. He stepped forward to help. It cost him his life.
Chief Gregory Lange
McLean, VA (March 3, 2026) - In the quiet early morning hours of July 5, 1988—around 2:00 a.m.—Claremont, Minnesota Chief of Police Gregory Lange was awakened by a neighbor reporting a domestic disturbance nearby. Chief Lange responded immediately. When he arrived and began assisting the female victim, the two brothers involved in the disturbance suddenly turned on him. In the chaos, one of them managed to seize Chief Lange’s service weapon. They beat him with a shovel and then used his own firearm to end his life. After killing him, both men fled to Missouri, where they were later captured and brought to justice. Chief Lange never made it back home that night. He was 39 years old. He had served in law enforcement for 16 years, serving as the Chief of Police with the Claremont Police Department for over two years. He was survived by his wife, Sue, and son, Chris. Sue channeled her grief for the good of others. She became a national leader for the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), helping other surviving family members heal. She credits C.O.P.S. for her healing, as well. “C.O.P.S. helped me find me again and filled me with hope and truly saved my life.”
Listen to the podcast to hear the rest of the story: https://behindbadge.substack.com/p/heroes-live-forever-the-story-of-188
