Murphy Street officially renamed, bronze bust unveiled in memory of Jorge David Alvarado Jr.

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Murphy Street in Salinas is officially renamed and a bronze bust unveiled in honor of Jorge David Alvarado Jr., a Salinas Police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2022.

The unveiling comes as police mark the anniversary of Officer Alvarado's death.

On a cold February 25th night, the officer was trying to perform a traffic stop on an individual in Salinas. It was that moment where he was shot and killed by the suspect who has since been identified as Gustavo Morales.

Alvarado was able to return fire, injuring Morales who was later arrested.

But February 25, 2023 was about remembering the officer as a man who left behind a brother who is also employed by Salinas PD and a high school sweetheart he was set to marry.

On this day Murphy Street becomes JD Alvarado Circle and a bronze bust will enshrine JD to the Salinas Police Department forever as it will be placed at the entrance of the police station.

Salinas City Council unanimously votes to rename Murphy Street in honor of fallen officer Jorge David Alvarado Jr.

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)-  UPDATE Nov. 15, 2022, at 5:13 p.m.- The Salinas City Council voted unanimously to rename Murphy Street to honor fallen Salinas Police Officer Jorge David Alvarado Jr.

The street that resides next to the Salinas Police Department will now be called JD Alvarado Circle.

Family, friends, Salinas Police Chief Roberto Filice, and the community of Salinas all spoke about the man known to loved ones as JD.

The city council has to wait 30 days since the decision to rename the road.

ORIGINAL STORY

It's been nine months since tragedy struck the Salinas Police Department and the City of Salinas.

Officer Jorge David Alvarado Jr. was making a traffic stop in Feb. that turned into the last arrest he ever made. He was gunned down while sitting in his car but responded quickly enough to shoot his assassin on the web of his hand, leading to his killer's eventual arrest.

Read more: Salinas Veterans Day Parade to honor Salinas Police Officer Jorge David Alavardo Jr.

To honor the man known by friends and family as JD, the Salians City Council will decide Tuesday, Nov. 15, on a resolution to rename Murphy Street.

If passed, Murphy Street would be renamed to JD Alvarado Circle. The street sits beside the new Salinas Police Department building on East Alisal Street. He will stand beside his brothers in blue in his passing as he did when he was protecting the streets of Salinas.

Read more: DA will not seek death penalty for man accused of killing Salinas Officer Jorge David Alvarado Jr.