The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs announced a ceremony later this month to memorialize the life of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in Castaic and announce a new community benefit to honor his memory.
L.A. County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger called for the renaming of the Castaic Sports Complex after Clinkunbroomer in September, marking the two-year anniversary of his murder at the meeting.
A 32-year-old Palmdale man stands charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of the deputy, who was shot in what Sheriff’s Department officials described as an “unprovoked ambush,” near the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station parking lot, at the intersection of Avenue Q and Sierra Highway.
An ALADS spokesman Monday said while there have been county, state and national tributes to Clinkunbroomer’s sacrifice, the 10 a.m. Jan. 16 ceremony would be for the community in Castaic where the fourth-generation deputy grew up.
“This is strictly to name the sports complex in his honor,” said Richard Pippin, president of ALADS, in a phone interview Monday, adding there also would be members of the Clinkunbroomer family to speak about the deputy’s legacy.
“Ryan was a man who served his community tirelessly, and he deserves to have this honor,” especially in his hometown, Pippin said. “So many of his friends and loved ones are from the area, and they deserve to know that he’ll be remembered, and I think that renaming this facility in his honor goes a long way toward providing that assurance to them — that he will be remembered for generations to come.”
Pippin said the event was being put together in conjunction with Barger’s office and the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation, and it will be open to the public.
There also is a scholarship being put together in Clinkunbroomer’s honor, he said, which he expected to be announced at the ceremony, adding the organization is still working on the details with Barger’s office.
“It’ll be geared toward people who live in the Castaic community and use that park, possibly for programs at the park, but also possibly for secondary education,” he said.
Barger authorized the county to put aside approximately $30,000 in Measure A funds to pay for any signage changes.
“Ryan was just 30 years old when his life was taken. He came from a long line of family members dedicated to public service within Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, now all retired,” Barger said during the September meeting, noting both son and father, Lt. Mike Clinkunbroomer, were both affectionately known as “Clink,” in the department. His grandfather and great-grandfather also wore the badge, she said.
“Ryan proudly carried that legacy in the department,” she said in September, adding he was known to take great pride as a field training officer who was tasked with preparing deputies for the field.
