By Neil Nisperos
The Redlands Daily Facts
CHINO -- Hundreds of runners and walkers participated in the sixth annual Memorial 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, which honors fallen corrections and police officers throughout the state.
This year, the event was highlighted by a ceremony dedicating a portion of Euclid Avenue from the 60 Freeway to Kimball Avenue as the Correctional Officer Jesus Sanchez Memorial Highway.
The ceremony was attended by the family of Sanchez, a CIM officer, who was gunned down at age 24 in 1972 while he was escorting an inmate to court. Sanchez’s widow, Mercedes Sanchez Katcher, of Victorville, said it was an honor for her late husband to be recognized.
“Imagine, my grandkids are able to drive and see his name right there,” Katcher said.
In addition to remembering Sanchez, the ceremony also honored Riverside Police Officer Ryan Bonaminio, who was gunned down in the line of duty last November during a traffic stop.
The event was free to the public, and featured food, music, and a car show with more than 100 classic cars. The run, which began at 11 a.m., began from the prison, up Central Park to College Park, and back to the institution.
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