In the year 2018, Indian-origin American police officer Ronil Singh, who was doing overtime on Christmas, was shot dead by an illegal immigrant in the US. A section of Highway 33 in Newman was dedicated to Ronil Singh on Saturday to honor the martyred national hero. Singh, a resident of Fiji, had joined the police force in July 2011. He was shot dead by a drunk driver on 26 December 2018.
Washington: In a bid to honor a martyr cop, US state of California named a section of a highway after fearless Indian-origin 33-year-old police officer, Ronil Singh, who was doing an overtime during Christmas in 2018 and was shot dead by an illegal immigrant. This stretch of Highway 33 in Newman was dedicated to Ronil Singh on Saturday to honor the martyred national hero.
A signboard announcing ‘Corporal Ronil Singh Memorial Highway’ has also been installed on Highway 33 and Stuhar Road. Singh, a resident of Fiji, had joined the police force in July 2011. He was shot dead by a drunk driver on 26 December 2018.
Today the community came together to honor the memory of Cpl. Ronil Singh, who was tragically killed in the line of duty in December 2018. The memorial highway sign was unveiled today and will be displayed on Highway 33 and Stuhr Road. pic.twitter.com/b4cNgZekRg
— Assemblyman Juan Alanis (@JuanAlanisCA) September 2, 2023
His killer, Paulo Virgen Mendoza, was captured at a relative’s home in Kern County after a three-day manhunt. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2020 for Singh’s murder. Senator Alvarado Gil wrote in an internet media post, ‘The Newman community recognized the late Corporal Singh for putting his life at stake to protect others. Has been honored for dedication and commitment. “Love you Papa,” Mr Singh’s son Arnav, who was just five months old when his father was killed, wrote on the back of the signboard.
Notably, courageous Ronil Singh, a 33-year-old police officer, was shot dead during a traffic stop in 2018 by an illegal immigrant named Gustavo Perez Arriaga when he was planning to flee to his native Mexico.
Multiple agencies responded to assist, and Mr Singh was found at the scene with gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
In 2019, former US President Donald Trump described Mr Singh as a “national hero” and spoke of his wife and colleagues. He said America’s heart broke the day the young officer was “brutally murdered” by an “illegal alien.”
