A controversy over whether to rename a midtown park after a slain Tucson police officer is over, with the Tucson City Council agreeing to build a memorial to honor his sacrifice.
Peter Howell Neighborhood residents who were opposed to renaming the park found common ground with friends and family of fallen Tucson police Officer Jeff Ross in the hours before Tuesday night’s council meeting.
They agreed to a plan to keep the name of Alvernon Park, but to add that it is “dedicated to the memory of Officer Jeffrey H. Ross.”
One plaque will be placed at the park, near East Speedway and North Alvernon Way, that will feature a brief description of who Ross was and his sacrifice to the Tucson community.
In February 1982, Ross was part of a team of narcotics officers that raided the now-defunct Ranch House bar, a topless-dancer club and biker hangout on North Casa Grande Highway, when the bar manager shot him in the chest. He died hours later.
After the council meeting, Ross’ sister Heather said she was happy with the decision.
“Alvernon Park Jeffery H. Ross Memorial, it is very close to what we wanted in the very beginning, so we are pleased,” she said.
Her brother John, who told the council that playing in Alvernon Park was one of Jeff Ross’ happiest memories as a child, agreed.
“It is great that he is going to be recognized there. ... To have this come forth through the hard work of everybody here, it is a good compromise,” he said.
The effort to change the park’s name to honor Ross led to a controversy that placed the final decision in the council’s hands.
Many neighbors told the city that renaming Alvernon Park was not appropriate, primarily because of the lack of a real historical connection between Ross and the midtown park.
Ross lived in the neighborhood in the 1970s as a child, but the family moved away 40 years ago.
Neighborhood residents, including those who had reservations about the name change, were fully supportive of the compromise.
Donald Ijams, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1976, came before the council to say he supported the memorial and placing the plaque in the neighborhood park.
