The communal space known as Grape Street Dog Park will carry a new name, “Tonahill – Ruopp Park,” to memorialize Officers Kimberly Tonahill and Timothy Ruopp, who faced tragedy while in the line of law enforcement back in 1984 in the City of San Diego decided in coordination with a community-driven effort.
The decision to rename the park, which sits at 28th and Grape Street, was propelled by fervent support and backed notably by the San Diego Police Department and the Police Officers Association, retired San Diego Police sergeant Gary Mitrovich, who himself was injured at the same event, also lent his voice to the campaign. These developments and collective nods of approval made way for a green light from the Balboa Park Committee this July, paving a path for the park's transformation into a monument honoring sacrifice. According to details obtained by the City of San Diego's municipal website, the ceremonial name change is set for September 14, which exactly marks the 40th year since that fateful encounter that claimed the officers' lives.
The backstory to this renaming reflects a heartfelt gesture towards remembrance and honor. Sarita Flaming, a close friend of Tonahill, visited the park on the 39th anniversary of the shooting and sparked the initiative to rename the site, as FOX 5 San Diego reported. Retired Sergeant Mitrovich, who worked side by side with Tonahill and Ruopp and was shot and seriously injured in the incident that took Tonahill's life instantly and Ruopp's two days later, shared insights on KUSI, noting the bravery and service of the fallen officers and expressing support for the renaming effort.
