Nearly a thousand people gathered at Sowder Village Square in Manassas on Jan. 1 for a candlelight vigil in honor of Officer Chris Yung, who perished near there Monday in a traffic accident while on duty.
Chris Yung, 35, of Warrenton, was a motorcycle officer for the Prince William County Police Department. Family and friends remembered him as a dedicated husband, father of three young children, Prince William Police Officer, U.S. Marine, brother and friend.
“We all know what a great smile he had,” Acting Police Chief Barry Barnard said of Officer Yung. “He loved being a motor officer. He was a dedicated police officer, and we will miss him.”
With tears in his eyes, Yung’s brother Officer Dale Yung spoke of how his brother gave him the courage to join the force. He said his brother Chris had a smile that could, “light up the room.” He also said that through his passing, he left him some “big boots to fill.”
“He was taken too soon,” Dale Yung told the crowd. “He was my best friend. Hopefully, some good can come of this.”
Chaplain Caruthers told friends and family not to ask why, because, “none of us can answer that. The important thing is we’re here and Chris knows we’re here.”
Chaplain Caruthers said that so many gathered because Chris Yung had, “touched and impacted our lives,” and that people should consider their relationships as “gifts from God.”
Other officers talked about how dedicated Chris was to being a police officer.
One officer, who rode with Yung, called him the “epitome of what the Prince William Police Department has come to be known for.”
An officer named Katie, whom Chris had trained, told the story of how Chris was always patient and kind. When Katie told Chris she received a positive review during her first year on the force, Chris asked that she send him a copy. She said he was like a proud father.
Yung’s older brother, Brian, told the crowd, “Chris wouldn’t want this to be all about him. He would want it about all the police officers, fire fighters, foreign officers and those who fought overseas.”
Friends of the family offered their condolences and assistance to Chris’ family, especially brother Dale. Friends of Yung also shared personal stories of Chris after the vigil.
Jennifer Miller of Warrenton, whose husband worked with Yung, talked about how Chris introduced her to her new favorite dessert.
“He insisted we try Wegman’s strawberry shortcake," Miller said. She also explained how it was evident that Chris loved his wife and children very much.
Fellow Officer Shawn Barrett told a story of how Chris helped another family in grief over a loved one.
“One of my buddy’s baby had passed away. He wanted an officer to stand at the grave site,” said Barrett.
Barrett said that Yung volunteered to stand there with him, even though he did not know the family, saying “He did it, because he was a father.”
Everyone who spoke of Chris Yung described him as someone who was selfless and dedicated to family and community.
Officers from around the country left condolences and blessings on Office Chris Yung’s Memorial Page. Friends and coworkers also left personal remembrances. They wrote about a man who was constantly smiling, who was willing to help everyone, who loved his sports car and who was always positive and laughing.
“Chris, you were the type of man we should all strive to become. You made this world a better place and touched so many lives both on and off duty,” wrote Officer Jordan Morris.
Others wrote about his dedication and tremendous passion for his vocation.
“Chris, Prince William County has truly lost its finest officer. No one enjoyed being a cop more than you; your permanent smile and laugh always reflected that,” wrote Officer Michael Scarsella, who thanked Officer Yung for taking him under his wing.
Officer Ramona Bates remembered how Yung positively affected those he attended the police academy with.
“You always managed to make the class laugh, from letting everyone test drive your fancy cars to jumping through the window on that course like a ninja," said Bates. "I still can’t figure out how you did that."
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