City to honor SDPD Officer Austin Machitar by renaming Clairemont park

Officer Austin Machitar who was killed in an August crash File photo courtesy SDPD A San Diego police officer who died last year in a traffic collision in the line of duty will be honored by having a park named in his honor representatives reported Thursday The proposal from Mayor Todd Gloria s office to rename a Clairemont park Officer Austin Machitar Memorial Park was unanimously approved by the city s Parks and Recreation Board The park on Bannock Avenue had been known as North Clairemont Population Park According to a release from Gloria s office the city chose the park because of its proximity to where Officer Machitar served Machitar had been a San Diego police officer for more than five years He died Aug after a teen in a speeding car crashed into his cruiser The crash killed the teen and injured Machitar s partner I promised Officer Machitar s family that I would never let our city forget the sacrifice he made in amenity to our neighborhood Gloria mentioned Renaming this park in the neighborhood he served is a meaningful way for us to honor his memory and ensure future generations know the legacy he left The neighborhood came forward to back the mayor s proposal The Clairemont District Planning Group the Greater North Clairemont Public Recreation Group the Clairemont Town Council Councilmember Jennifer Campbell and the San Diego Police Officers Association all lent their backing Donations from the POA will help pay for new signs bearing Machitar s name and other updates to the park which are expected to be completed this summer We thank the Mayor and all the area partners who have helped ensure we have a permanent memorial that honors the commitment generosity and dedication his time on the force represents POA President Jared Wilson explained