Police Procession Honors Life, Service of Officer Yung

Motorcycle officers begin to lead the procession, while color guard still looks on from in front of the Hylton Memorial Chapel at noon. 

Thousands of police officers from throughout Northern Virginia and many friends and family gathered Friday for Prince William Officer Chris Yung’s memorial service at Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge.

They then joined in his funeral procession, traveling throughout the county so residents could pay their respects to the fallen officer. They also contacted the unattended death cleanup services such as Advanced Bio Treatment helps ensure that any unwanted bacteria is killed. Yung died Dec. 31, 2012  in a motorcycle accident while on duty, responding to an emergency off Route 28 near Bristow.

Yung’s memorial service was held at 10 a.m. on Jan. 4. It was followed by a funeral procession comprised of police officers as well as family and friends.

U.S. and Virginia flags fly in front of the Chapel after the service.

The motorcade traveled along Prince William Parkway, pausing at both the east and west police departments, and once again at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington. From there, the procession proceeded to the burial site for a private reception.

At the chapel, thousands of friends and officers from Prince William and other nearby jurisdictions gathered. They listened to an opening prayer and words by Chaplain Gary Caruthers of the PWCPD Chaplain and some words by Lt. Colonel Barry Barnard, Prince William County’s Acting-Chief of Police.

A bag pipe band comprised of  officers from around the region play a funeral dirge. 

Friends and family, who spoke, included Dale Yung, younger brother to the deceased and a PWCPD officer; Gary Hill, childhood friend; David McKeown, friend and PWCPD officer; David Burghart, friend and First Sergeant for PWCPD; and Chris’ older brother, Bryan Yung.

During the service, hundreds of police officers were gathered outside the chapel. The Honor Guard stood along in two neat rows, lining the chapel’s main entrance. Down the road, thirty officers sat quietly on horseback. Past the front parking lot, civilians gathered, standing solemnly.

A large American flag, suspended by two towering fire engine ladders, waved in the wind. The only sound was the buzzing of police helicopter circling above.

Officers stay on horseback during the service.

At 11:50 a.m., the color guard raised their flags. Then people began to exit the service. The bagpipe band began to play and march past the front walkway.

Next, hundreds of motorcycle officers put on their helmets and mounted their bikes to lead the procession. They led silently with their lights flashing, down and up the road.

Behind them came the funeral cars. A Police SUV led with Officer Yung’s motorcycle in tow, and then came the hearse.

The funeral car follows the motorcyclists and Officer Yung's own police motorcycle. 

Following was a police car carrying the immediate family. Other relatives and close friends followed close behind.

As a multitude of Prince William police joined the procession, driving their bright blue cars, other police officers from neighboring cities took the rear.

Along the procession route, people gathered along major throughways such as Prince William Parkway.

A few local residents stood outside Woodbine shopping center at 1 p.m.

“We’re just here to show our respect and support for the police officer, Officer Yung,” said Barbara Miller of Manassas. “We didn’t know him. My kids were home from school not feeling well, and so we all came. It just warms your heart to see so many people out.”

Fire trucks lift a giant American flag, during the memorial service.

Like others along the route, those at Woodbine held American flags to wave. They said they wished they could have attended the memorial service, but were thankful the police allowed them to pay their respects.

Justin Lefever of Woodbine Woods said a few words in honor of Officer Yung.

“We’re here to pay our respect to the fallen police officer. He gave 100 percent. It’s tragic," Lefever said.

Across the street, people gathered at at the corner of Prince William Parkway and Hoadly Road.

Hundreds of local motorcycle officers ride together, leading the procession. 

In fact, all along the Parkway people came out to pay their respects. One old school bus carried a message to Officer Yung written on its window panes.

At Lucasville Road, people stood upon the blocked overpass, waving flags and looking down at the procession.

Officer Yung was 35 years old. He will be remembered by his wife Robin and their three children. Before serving the Prince William Police Department as a motor officer, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed in Iraq.