A community park in Castaic has been given a new name to honor and pay tribute to the life and service of a fallen Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy, Ryan M. Clinkunbroomer. The sports complex where Deputy Clinkunbroomer spent many hours as a child has been renamed the Ryan M. Clinkunbroomer Castaic Sports Complex. The renaming ceremony was led by Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger and was attended by family members, colleagues, and other community members, according to Supervisor Kathryn Barger's announcement.
The solemn event featured the unveiling of a permanent sign with Deputy Clinkunbroomer's name and a commemorative plaque. Sheriff Robert Luna, among other speakers at the event, acknowledged the deputy's dedication to his community. "Deputy Ryan Clinkumbroomer embodied the highest values of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department," Sheriff Luna told attendees. Deputy Clinkunbroomer was killed in an ambush in September 2023 while serving in the line of duty.
Ryan Clinkunbroomer's family expressed their desire for the park to be a beacon of positivity for the community. "I hope everyone who walks through this park feels something good here - hope, safety and connection," Deputy Clinkunbroomer's brother, Chad, said in a statement obtained by ABC7. The renaming aims to reflect the values of service, selflessness, and integrity that Deputy Clinkunbroomer represented.
The sports complex will not only carry the late deputy's name but will also inspire future generations through a scholarship launched in his honor. This annual scholarship is intended to support local youth sports programs. Deputy Clinkunbroomer grew up in the Santa Clarita Valley and was actively involved in sports, making the renaming meaningfully aligned with his interests. Norma E. García-González, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, emphasized the inspirational nature of the newly named complex. "The Ryan M. Clinkunbroomer Castaic Sports Complex will inspire the community with his character, his legacy, and the joy of sports," she said during the ceremony.
