Michael Lange has been a Rockford police officer since August 2005.

He was initially assigned to the field services bureau.

In 2013, Lange worked as a field training officer.

In 2015, he was assigned to the M-3 Street team, a precursor to the SCOPE team.

In 2016, he was put on the K-9 unit.

In 2018, Lange was assigned to the District 1 patrol unit.

In 2022, he was promoted to the rank of investigator.

In 2023, he was promoted to sergeant serving the District 2 night shift under lieutenant Jason Dobran.

On December 30th, 2018, Michael Lange was one of the initial responding officer to an alleged car jacking.

Lange before arriving to the scene was already familiar with Kerry Blake and his mental struggles as he had previously had interactions with Kerry.

Upon arrival Lange was directed to speak to the family to see if anyone would be able to speak to Kerry. RPD eventually allowed the family to speak to Kerry thru a closed window, with officers directly behind them.

RPD allowed the family to speak in this manner for ten minutes. When Kerry did not exit after ten minutes, officers escorted the Blake family away from the premises.

Lange was a direct witness to the “standoff” that lasted several hours. He saw as Kerry began to toss small weapons out the house through the front door. Lange retrieved a “samurai sword” from the objects thrown by Kerry.

Though out the “standoff” Kerry could be seen doing different things in the windows. He briefly held up money, crafts and other objects. Kerry could be seen laughing leading Lange to question if he understood the seriousness of what was happening.

When officers went to knock on the front door of the house, Kerry could be heard knocking back on the door as they knocked.

After the SWAT team arrived Lange was directed to leave the immediate area to go direct traffic away from the scene.

Matthew Krantz, a SWAT team leader shot and killed Kerry Blake.

On July 24th, 2020, Lange and Rockford police officer Enrique Schaefer responded to a noise complaint at the Public Safety Builing (the old courthouse).

The 911 call was made by Jay Morse, a former firefighter, who said he had safety concerns about protesters in front of the courthouse using a megaphone and a siren. Morse complained about the siren being used two weeks prior and wished to file a complaint.

The protest was an effort to raise awareness to the local police violence that took place on May 30th, 2020, the first protest in Rockford following the murder of George Floyd.

Schaefer wrote a City ordinance violation and gave it to the protesters.

In 2019, Lange made $82,178 in salary + $3,465 in overtime = $85,643 + $25,350 in health insurance + $30,497 pension pay.

In 2020, they made $88,754 in salary + $2,526 in overtime = $91,280 + $25,350 in health insurance + $33,025 in pension pay.

In 2021, they made $99,811 in salary + $2,773 in overtime = $102,584 + $24,960 in health insurance + $34,932 in pension pay.

In 2022, they made $98,508 in salary + $2,700 in overtime = $101,208 + $25,350 in health insurance + $39,700 in pension pay.

In 2023, they made $109,346 in salary + $7,901 in overtime = $117,247 + $25,350 in health insurance + $46,059 in pension pay.

In 2024, they made $108,914 in salary + $13,364 in overtime = $122,278 + $26,325 in health insurance + $52,059 in pension pay.

If you or anyone you know has been abused, harassed or otherwise mistreated by this officer please email us with the officers name in the subject.