City Heights Park Named After Fallen Officer Jeremy Henwood

A San Diego park will be renamed after SDPD Officer Jeremy Henwood, who was killed in the line of duty in 2011 just moments after he shared a meal with a City Heights child. 

The city's Park and Recreation Board unanimously approved naming a portion of the City Heights Urban Village in Henwood's honor. 

Henwood was killed on August 6, 2011 in his patrol car when a gunman from a previous shooting pulled up beside him and shot him unprovoked.

The shooter, Dejon Marquee, was later shot and killed in his apartment after he raised his shotgun and appeared prepare to fire at the officers surrounding him.

Henwood was also a combat Marine who served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

The park is located just a block away from the McDonald's where Henwood made his final act of kindness. The moment was caught on surveillance and has come to represent the young officer's generosity and kindheartedness. 

"This postage stamp of land became hallowed ground, for a community in mourning, coming together to offer support to the Henwood family, to our police officers and our neighbors, sharing prayers and tears for a life that ended too soon," said Councilmember Marti Emerald in a letter to the Park and Recreation Board prior to their approval of the tribute.

The turf area that will be named after Henwood is south of the City Heights Weingart Library and north of the City Heights Swim Center.

It is not expected to have a fiscal impact on the city, but members of the public are planning on raising money for a placque with Henwood's name on it. 

"Naming our community square after Officer Henwood would be a fitting honor to this fine young man and all that he represented: men and women everywhere who are willing to lay down their lives to protect others," Emerald said. 

The park's new name won't be the first tribute to the fallen officer. Henwood's name was also added to the Police Department's Roll of Honor outside the department's downtown station.

On the one-year anniversary of his death, the boy who Henwood shared a meal with shared the inspirational story of their encounter. 

Last year, the owner of McDonaldโ€™s where Henwood spent his final moments partnered with the San Diego Police Officers Association to hold a fundraiser honoring Henwood. A portion of the proceeds were donated to the SDPOA Widows and Orphans Fund.

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