Clairemont Park Renamed to honor Fallen san Diego Police Officer Austin Machitar
CLAIREMONT, CA – A Clairemont park was officially dedicated as the officer Austin Machitar Memorial park on Oct. 26, 2025, honoring the San Diego Police Department officer who died in the line of duty last year. The dedication ceremony drew family, fellow officers, and community members to celebrate Machitar’s life and commitment to service.
The park’s renaming serves as a lasting tribute to Machitar, who frequently patrolled the area and connected with residents, frequently enough through his love of baseball. The memorial provides a space for remembrance and honors the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers protecting the city.
Machitar, 30, died Aug. 26, 2024, when his vehicle was struck by a teenage driver fleeing other officers. His partner, Officer Daniel Martinez, was seriously injured in the crash but successfully returned to duty late last year. The driver involved also died. A California Highway Patrol inquiry into the incident remains ongoing.
During Sunday’s dedication, Chris Machitar, Austin’s father, recounted a story illustrating his son’s dedication to community policing. After a shift, Austin excitedly told his father about responding to an “11-15” – police code for a ball game in the street. “So he throws on his lights,he gets out of his car,and all the kids are thinking,’Oh no,we’re in trouble’ and they’re all starting to scramble,” chris Machitar told the crowd.”He goes: ‘No,no,wait!'” Austin then retrieved a mitt from his patrol car and joined the game,bringing joy to the children. “He was the happiest I’d ever seen him in a long, long time.”
The dedication featured memorials including a quilt created by a Chula Vista church, an honorary Padres jersey with Machitar’s name, and a letter of condolence from former President joe Biden. Machitar’s dog, a 4-year-old chocolate Labrador named sarge, was also present.
