Kings County unveils Highway 198 memorial sign for fallen soldier killed in Iraq
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- Memorial sign placed for Juan Méndez Covarrubias at Hwy 198 and 14th Ave.
- Feb. 11 ceremony included family, state, county and community leaders.
- Community raised just over $8,000 and state designated Hwy 198 at 14th Ave.
A segment of State Highway 198 in Kings County is now named in memory and honor of fallen Valley soldier killed in Iraq.
Army Specialist Juan Miguel Méndez Covarrubias was honored Wednesday, Feb. 11, for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice during a ceremony at the Kings County Government Center Courtyard with family members, state, county and community leaders to unveil the highway sign to honor his memory almost six years after his death.
Méndez Covarrubias, who died at age 27, was described as a “warrior with a big heart, who stepped up with humility and courage” by former assembly member Rudy Salas, who represented Kings County.
Salas said designating a portion of state highway 198 in honor of Méndez Covarrubias was about ensuring “the story of a Hanford native and a true local hero, remains woven into the fabric of the place that raised him.”
“He lived with a deep commitment to something much larger than himself,” Salas said.
Méndez Covarrubias was killed on March 11, 2020, by an enemy rocket attack at Camp Taji, a military base located 20 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq, which is used by Coalition Forces to train Iraq Security Forces.
The rocket attack by the Iraqi government on Camp Taji resulted in the deaths of two U.S. soldiers including Méndez Covarrubias, one British soldier and 14 wounded soldiers.
The attack on Camp Taji was in retaliation for a targeted drone attack by United States Forces on Jan. 3, 2020, at Baghdad International Airport, which targeted Iraqi Major General Qassim Soleimani who died in the U.S. attack.
The memorial sign, which will be located on Highways 198 and 14th Avenue, is the result of a partnership between local and state government, including Cal Trans, which designated the area where the sign is going to be placed.
Former Fresno County Supervisor Henry R. Perea, a friend of the family, said a little over $8,000 was raised for the memorial sign with many area sponsors coming together to honor the fallen Valley native.
“Today isn’t just about the loss. Today is about remembering the life he lived, the love he shared, and the impact he had on all of us,” said Méndez Covarrubias’ sister Karen who was in her teens when her brother died.
Karen said her brother led by example and was a hero long before he wore a military uniform.
“He was a brother who guided and protected us, a son who made our parents proud, and a friend people could always count on,” said the 21-year-old sister.
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Méndez Covarrubias, who was born in Delano, Calif., attended schools in Hanford. He graduated from high school in 2010, Lemoore College in 2017, and he enlisted in the Army on June 3, 2018.
For the Méndez Covarrubias’ family, the highway sign is more than a name on the road.
“It’s a reminder that Juan mattered, that his life, his service and his sacrifice, will never be forgotten,” Karen said. “Juan’s legacy lives on in the people he touched, the values he stood for, and the love we carry for him every single day.
Méndez Covarrubias, who earned the Global War on Terrorism medal, is survived by his parents Alfredo and Mónica and three siblings, Daniel, Karen, and Patricia.
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This story was originally published February 12, 2026 at 3:25 PM.
