Thermal street dedicated in fallen deputy’s name

The name of a fallen Riverside County sheriff’s deputy will now be honored as a street name near the new sheriff’s station in Thermal.

A dedication ceremony was held for “Deputy Manny Villegas Way” on Wednesday morning.

Villegas was killed in the line of duty in March of 2007 after being involved in a head-on traffic collision between Thermal and Mecca.

On the department’s website, a memorial reads, “Though he was only 33 years of age at the time of his death, Manny had lived the life many men strive for. He was a husband, a father, a decorated combat veteran, a friend and valued beat partner.”

Starting Wednesday, the public can see the “Deputy Manny Villegas Way” roadsign, which is located on the east side of the Thermal sheriff’s station.