Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

38 years ago officer tonahill and her partner (not sure of his name) pulled my friend and i over for verbal driving altercation with some navy guys and ended up putting us in the back of their squad car and handcuffing my right hand to the car. they took us to station as i believe we were on main ocean road, somewhere near ocean beach i think. we were all kind of joking as there was no fight or driving violations and i had been eating potato chips in the back seat. about a month later im at a convenience store in not the best neighborhood and she was there outside in uniform, so i said hi and she was like i remember u u were eating potato chips in the back seat! "what are you doing in this area?" as in i was 21 just trying out san diego with little money. she was very nice, and in our brief encounters, although professional, there may have been some slight flirting. maybe a month later i see the story on tv news. i think of her from time to time. and that picture up top makes me teary eyed

tim
suspect

May 1, 2022

I remember that day for two reasons. I graduated from boot camp at MCRD San Diego and both of you officers being taken from our city. Cant believe it’s been nearly 37 years. R. I. P.

Sgt. Templeton C. F. USMCR
Civilian

March 16, 2021

Rest in peace always and know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 14, 2020

Patrolwoman Tonahill rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 14, 2019

Kimberly, I met you briefly sometime in 1981 or 82 and I highly doubt you'd even remember our meeting but I remember you had spoken about your plans to join law enforcement. It wasn't much later that I was taking my oral board interview for the Border Patrol and I passed the interview but didn't know until I walked out of the Sector building that day that you had been murdered. Your death was so pivotal for me. I could have used it as an excuse to decline my acceptance letter a few months later but I chose to help it fuel me. We will never forget you or any of our Fallen. Rest in Peace my friend.

Retired SBPA Janalyn Buseck
US Border Patrol

November 12, 2018

Rest In Peace Sister in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 34th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

September 14, 2018

Rest in peace Patrolwoman Tonahill. Your young life and honorable heroism won't be forgotten. I read your humble story in the book "True heroines." Sad for your partner, Officer Ruopp. His bravery and humility won't be forgotten either.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 6, 2018

I miss her everyday I was only 4 when my aunt was killed I think of her always I love you aunt Kimmy. Sandy Tucker was her best friend and that is my mom

Carrie L Ardito
Family

March 9, 2018

I miss her everyday I was only 4 when my aunt was killed I think of her always I love you aunt Kimmy

Carrie L Ardito
Family

March 9, 2018

I still miss her smile. I sat next to her in the Academy. RIP Kim

Lieutenant Julius Faulkner
San Diego Sheriff's Department

September 3, 2015

I knew the Tonahills. I lived several doors down from them. Really good people. Didn't really know Kim she was a few years older than me but I knew her sister Tammy because we went to school together. Tragic loss - still remember.

A Neighbor (Verlane Drive)

August 11, 2015

I knew Kim since the time she was a Directory Assistance Operator on 72nd Street in San Diego. She had always dreamed of being a police officer. I remember the day she came back to visit our office in her uniform. I will always remember her beautiful smile.

Pamela Smith Haider
Pacific Bell (retired)

August 2, 2015

I went through the San Diego 19th Regional Police Academy with Kim. She was a kind and beautiful person with an infectious smile and contagious laugh. I always thought she was too sweet of a person to be a police officer and to this day the thought of her brings a smile to my face. We love and miss you Kim.

Sgt. Ray S
San Diego PD, academy classmate

January 11, 2015

I remember this day. I was a young police officer from Laredo Tx vacationing in San Diego. When these brave cops got shot my friend Victor also got shot in Laredo. Victor was a police officer and was killed by a shotgun blast to the neck. Have never gone back to San Diego. Hope all is well with the brave men and women of San Diego PD. God Bless you all.

Retired Police Officer ( 25yrs)
Laredo Police Department

March 6, 2014

This horrendous event occurred while I was in the Academy. It affected me deeply and I will never forget that day.

Linda Jenkins, correctional officer
Federal prison

September 25, 2013

Rest in God's loving embrace, hero. You will never be forgotten.

Retired Wisconsin L.E.O.

September 16, 2013

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

September 14, 2013

Kim,
You were a sister to me as my little sister's best friend for so long. I still remember to this day the excitement as you pulled me into your room at your party to show me your new badge. I was so excited and proud of you. I still think of you often and tonight I shed another tear for you.
Tony C

Tony Costanza

April 17, 2013

I was 15 years old when my dad got the call from his sister that her daughter, Kim had been killed in the line duty at age 24. Kim was my cousin and one of the sweetest people I had ever known. I will always remember her smile and all the memories we shared. Her mother, my aunt, Sharon Sue, was equally as sweet and recently passed. I find great peace knowing that these two beautiful people are together again for eternity. May God Bless all of the officers that put their lives on the line and make the ultimate sacrifice to protect us all.

Family Member

March 4, 2013

Kimberly:

You will always be remembered and missed and I think of you often. When we both worked for Pacific Telephone on 73rd and El Cajon Boulevard,
your wonderful smile set you apart from all the other women we worked with. You were so excited when you found out that you would be joining the police force. We all knew that law enforcement work could be dangerous but that was something we tried not to think dwell on.

Thomas Donayre
Friend

November 6, 2012

San Diego Police

September 5, 2012

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Tonahill. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 21, 2012

Thinking of Kim this day as we honor her life.
Kathy Ruopp

Kathleen Riggs-Ruopp
wife of Tim Ruopp

September 14, 2011

God Bless You and Your Family Patrolman Kimberly Sue Tonahill. Thank you.

Renee Walker, wife of
Sgt. Roosevelt Walker, Jr.
EOW: May 22, 1998

Renee Walker, Wife
Escambia County Sheriff, Florida

September 14, 2011

Rest in peace my Sister.

Deputy Sheriff
Covinton County Sheriff's Dept. (Mississippi)

June 14, 2010