Police Officer Chris Yung Remembered at Vigil as Dedicated Public Servant

UPDATED 10:30 a.m.

The tentative details of the funeral arrangements for Prince William police Officer Chris Yung have been posted to the Facebook page of that county’s fire and rescue department:

Officer Chris Yung: The tentative funeral arrangements as we know them are as follows:(Subject to Change)

Public Viewing

Thursday, January 3, 2013 from 1800 to 2100 hours

Hylton Memorial Chapel

Funeral

Friday, January 4, 2013 at 1000 hours Hylton Memorial Chapel

Private Family Burial

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Yung, his family and the Police Department.

Additional details will be provided as they become available.

9 a.m. 

BRISTOW, Va. — Just feet from where his motorcycle collided with a minivan on Monday, hundreds of mourners came to a candlelight vigil to honor Prince William police Officer Chris Yung.

They packed the parking lot outside a Target store at Sowder Village Square in Bristow, stood in cold temperatures, lit candles, and shared warm memories of the life of a community servant taken too soon.

Yung’s brother Dale, who is also a Prince William police officer, said Chris had ridden motorcycles for most of his life, was hoping to one day be promoted to a Sergeant in the police department’s motor division, and said his brother died doing what he loved.

“Chris was the one who encouraged me to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a police officer. He leaves big shoes to fill, and he was my best friend and he’s looking down on us right now and he’s just smiling,” said Dale Yung.

He was joined by other family members who listened as fellow police officers, neighbors, and friends shared condolences.

Prince William Acting Police Chief Barry M. Barnard led the vigil, calling Yung a true public servant even when he was off duty. Yung was known to have had stopped and helped a woman stranded on the side of the road to change a flat tire.

“We all know what a great smile he had. He loved being a motor officer, he loved the work he did, and it showed. He was a dedicated police officer and we miss him,” said Barnard

Yung was involved in a crash on Va. 28 at the entrance to Sowder Village Square shopping center in Bristow about 2 p.m. Monday. At the time, he was responding to a separate crash on his police motorcycle and had activated his lights and siren. Police crash investigators said a minivan was making a turn from  Va. 28 into the shopping center and Yung collided with the vehicle.

Bystanders and off-duty fire and rescue personnel were credited for pulling Yung from the wreckage. The motorcycle and the van burst into flames.

Yung was pronounced dead a local hospital and so far no charges have been filed in the crash. Neither of the two passengers inside the van was injured.

“We must allow God to give us the grace to face the unanswered ‘why’ questions about Chris’ death. We must allow the love of God to keep us united, focused, and to take the best of what Chris gave us while he lived,” said police chaplain Gary Caruthers.

In addition to his brother Dale, and a sister-in-law who is also a police officer, Yung leaves behind a wife and three children. A U.S. Marine and police department veteran of seven years, Yung is the third Prince William police officer to die in the line of duty since the department was founded in 1970.

“I’ve dealt with Chris in the court in various cases over time. He was one of the most affable, likable guys. He was always extremely classy, very professional and I will tell you I am absolutely proud to have him as a member of this community. He is the ideal police officer,” said Lou Brooks, a Manassas-area attorney.

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