Motorcade, service to honor police officer

A police motorcade on Friday and a memorial service on Saturday are planned to honor Battle Ground Police Officer Michael M. Molzahn, who drowned in the Columbia River while off duty on Sunday.

Molzahn, 41, had served as a detective for four years and four years as a motor officer riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

At 10:30 a.m. Friday, a police motorcade will leave Chief Umtuch Middle School, 700 N.W. Ninth St. in Battle Ground, and escort Molzahn’s body to Layne’s Funeral Home, arriving there about 10:50 a.m. A short public ceremony will take place at the funeral home, according to a bulletin from city spokeswoman Bonnie Gilberti.

The escort route will go north on Sixth Avenue, west on Northwest Onsdorff Boulevard, south on Northwest 20th Avenue, east on Main Street, north on Grace Avenue and west on Northeast First Street to the funeral home at Northeast First Street and Clark Avenue.

On Saturday, a memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. at Brush Prairie Baptist Church, 11814 N.E. 117th Ave. A reception will follow.

Molzahn’s family members invite anyone to attend.

Molzahn was hired by the Battle Ground Police Department in March 2000 after serving for at least two years as a reserve officer, said Lt. Roy Butler.

Molzahn leaves a wife, an 18-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter.

The family suggests that people who wish to do so contribute to the North County Food Bank in memory of the officer.

John Branton: 360-735-4513 or john.branton@columbian.com.