On a day marked with remembrance and reflection, San Diego paid tribute to late Officers Kimberly Tonahill and Timothy Ruopp by renaming the familiar canine haunt at Grape Street Dog Park to "Tonahill – Ruopp Park." This gesture honors the officers' ultimate sacrifice while on duty 40 years ago. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the 40th anniversary of the tragic shooting was commemorated with a ceremony that saw over 100 attendees, including Police Chief Scott Wahl and Mayor Todd Gloria.
It began as a heartfelt movement spurred by Sarita Flaming after a visit to the park, leading her to spearhead the renaming effort. "I’ve got to do something about this. So I came home and told my husband, ‘I’m going to get that park renamed", Flaming recounted in a statement obtained by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The City of San Diego, along with vigorous support from the community, the San Diego Police Department, and the Police Officers Association, moved forward with this significant name change.
The story gained traction with a post by Mayor Todd Gloria on X, who referred to the park as a "lasting tribute to their courage and dedication." The X post further solidified the city's commitment to remembering its fallen officers. Along with the name change, metal signs, and a more permanent concrete marker will soon be installed to commemorate Towering symbols of Tonahill and Ruopp's service.
Today we recognized the sacrifice of @SanDiegoPD’s Kimberly Tonahill and Timothy Ruopp, officers killed in the line of duty in 1984, at the renaming of Grape Street Park in #SouthPark. Tonahill-Ruopp Park will be a lasting tribute to their courage and dedication. #ForAllofUs pic.twitter.com/svocztGS4F
— San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (@MayorToddGloria) September 14, 2024
Retired Sergeant Gary Mitrovich, who was also shot and injured during the fatal incident that took place in 1984, added his advocacy for the cause, relayed through various media outlets, including FOX 5 San Diego and KUSI. The fatal incident not only shook the community but also sparked a decades-long remembrance, eventually leading to Saturday's renaming. Mitrovich shared his insights on the bravery of his fallen comrades and supported the initiative, which, as reported by Hoodline, received the green light from the Balboa Park Committee in July.
Cement large and small will bear the new park name, but the true monument is the memory of Officers Tonahill and Ruopp's service and sacrifice. Chief Wahl encapsulated the sentiment during the ceremony, “Their time was unfortunately cut short, but their lives and memories live on through all the people who they’ve impacted,” as The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
