A California Highway Patrol officer who spent much of his career on the Central Coast was remembered for his community service Wednesday at a memorial dedication in Arroyo Grande.
Officer Kenneth Rude, who died in 2007 after retiring from a 35-year CHP career, is now memorialized with a tree, a bench, a plaque and a circular walkway at Rancho Grande Park.
“He grew up in San Luis Obispo and attended San Luis Obispo High School,” said Officer Mike Duenas of the CHP's Coastal Division office. “He was really dedicated to the community and contributed a lot to community organizations, Special Olympics and things like that.”
Rude donated thousands of hours of his own personal time to community events and fundraisers.
“He was a very well-liked individual,” Duenas added, noting his son, Craig Rude, is also a local CHP officer, working at the Traffic Management Center.
An estimated 60 to 70 people attended the dedication, including current and retired CHP officers and members of the Arroyo Grande Police Department.
Rude worked at the Coastal Division CHP office in San Luis Obispo, rising to the rank of assistant chief - second in command for the division that stretches from Santa Cruz to Ventura County.
He was promoted to deputy chief and moved to the Sacramento CHP office, where he retired in 2002.
The memorial was created by members of nonprofit Central Coast Chapter 73 of the International Footprint Association that fosters cooperation among law enforcement agencies and the public.
November 14, 2008
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