HELP US RAISE THE FINAL $1500 TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT

 Cleveland Park Ballfield Sign Project - We are still soliciting funds.  

Thank You, Waltrip  HS  Alumni!  

Officer Hearn will forever be remembered as a hero, a leader of HPD’s Raiders softball team, and the athletic, good-hearted Waltrip High and UT alumnus that everyone admired — including his close friend, Mayor John Whitmire.

This project began with a simple goal: to ensure a fallen officer’s name and legacy continue to inspire future generations.  I've said it before and will repeat it again - taking on a project to do a little good in this World and to do the right thing has never been so difficult. I am grateful to the Waltrip HS alumni classsmates of Tim Hearn and the Mayor - they have been great support. I am grateful to the Mayor's staff, who are always great. I am grateful for a donor who lives in a neighboring County whose husband was killed in the line of duty only a few years ago. 

My neighbor at KPRC did a story about the sign and that helped bring in two donors -thank you. 

We hosted a design contest online and had 1200 submissions come back and none were all that great. An artist with the most amazing talent had trouble working within the guidelines set by

HPARD and decided not to proceed.  

So our fundraising continues - I found an option I love and am presenting it to the Hearns and HPARD this week. In addition to our goal of putting something up which is better than what is out there now -this engraved bouLder option would really be amazing, tied in with a small amount of 

landscaping.  Working on that now - and the trees -and a lot more.

I will not let Ms. Hearn down - she is lovely, as is Tory, Our donor who pulled his pledge to essentially pay for the sign has been a really frustrating challenge, but this will happen and it will happen soon.  Thanks for your patience. 

For the Board -

— Brian Bottorff.   Founder & Board President.  Friends of Cleveland Park

    April 19, 2025, was officially proclaimed Tim Hearn Day in Houston, and we were deeply honored to be joined by Officer Hearn’s lifelong friend, Mayor John Whitmire. The two graduated together from Waltrip High School in 1968 and stood beside each other as best men in each other’s weddings.

     Tragically, just ten years later, on June 8, 1978, Officer Tim Hearn was killed in the line of duty at age 28, leaving behind a wife and young son. He was working undercover for the Houston Police Department when he was murdered while attempting an arrest. Good looking and a recent UT graduate and leader among his peers, Tim also captained the HPD RAIDERS Softball Team, often playing right here in Cleveland Park. It is only fitting that the city chose to name this ballfield in his honor.

    Yet it took 20 years to even place a sign in the park—and the one currently displayed barely tells the story of this Houston hero. Tim Hearn graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree from the nation’s top-ranked accounting program, but he chose a life of public service and joined the Houston Police Department instead. He is survived by his wife Jenny, his son Tory, and two grandsons who live in the Woodlands. 

     In 2025, Friends of Cleveland Park was founded as a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing the ballfield and enhancing the park. Our goals include planting 50–80 new trees in November 2025 and advocating for a new playground, bridge, and redesigned dog park area.

     Like the Hearn family, we believe the current ballfield sign—with its awkward font and lack of meaningful information—does not do justice to Officer Hearn’s legacy. Thankfully, with support from the Mayor and assistance from HPARD, we are proud to announce that the field has been officially renamed:

 Officer Tim  Hearn Memorial Ballfield.

Every dollar donated will go directly to the creation of the new sign, beautification of the ballfield, flags, and updated dugout amenities.  We are halfway there  -please donate today.