Stretch of highway in California named after slain Indian-origin police officer

Cpl. Ronil Singh's memory lives on in California's Highway 33, dedicated to him after his tragic death in 2018. His family, colleagues, and officials including US President Donald Trump paid their respects at the unveiling ceremony. His son Arnav's message, "Love you Papa," was included on the sign.

To honour a fallen national hero, a stretch of a highway in the US state of California has been named after 33-year-old Indian-origin police officer Ronil Singh who was shot and killed by an illegal immigrant in 2018.

The stretch of Highway 33 in Newman was dedicated on Saturday to Mr. Singh from the Newman Police Department, the Modesto Bee newspaper reported.

Signage proclaiming the “Corporal Ronil Singh Memorial Highway” stands at Highway 33 and Stuhr Road.

Mr. Singh, a native of Fiji joined the force in July 2011. A suspected drunk driver fatally shot him on December 26, 2018. A three-day manhunt led to his killer, Paulo Virgen Mendoza, being apprehended at a relative’s house in Kern County. He pleaded guilty in November 2020 to Singh’s murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A ceremony to unveil the sign was held following the community’s Tunnel to Towers 5K walk and run.

Mr. Singh’s wife, Anamika, their son, Arnav, who was just 5 months old when his father was killed, and other family members were at the event.

They were joined by his Newman Police Department colleagues and officials including county Supervisor Channce Condit, state Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, US Representative John Duarte and Assemblyman Juan Alanis.