WOODBRIDGE, Va. -
More than 2,000 people gathered at the Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge on Friday to honor the line-of-duty death of motorcycle police officer Chris Yung.
The Prince William County policeman died on December 31 after a fiery crash between his motorcycle and a minivan. Yung was responding to a call with his emergency lights on and siren activated, according to the department.
Additionally, he appeared to have had the right of way at the signal-controlled intersection on Route 28 in Bristow where the crash occurred, say police.
But no charges have been leveled against the 47-year-old woman who was driving the minivan. Police say the investigation of the accident continues.
At the memorial service, Officer Yung, 35, was remembered as a caring policeman while on duty and off duty.
"He wanted people to be safe," Acting Police Chief Barry Barnard told the gathering. "A few years ago, we received a message of thanks from a woman who had been in distress with her disabled vehicle off a very busy road. Off duty, Chris stopped and helped the woman. Not only that, the road was so busy, he had to go past the vehicle, turn around and return to provide her (and her daughter) assistance."
Chris Yung's brother, Dale, is also a police officer with Prince William County. Dale Yung offered an emotional tribute to his brother's always-sunny disposition.
"As you guys all know, he had that smile," said Dale Yung to the crowd. "That smile that could light up any room. Brighten any day. You know, if you were having a bad day, you could count on Chris to put a smile on your face."
Chris Yung was a former Marine. A USMC firing party, on a nearby hillside, fired a three-round salute. A lone Marine bugler sounded "Taps."
The assembled crowd heard a final, unanswered radio call over the loudspeakers outside the chapel. The dispatcher's voice then declared Officer Chris Yung to be "cleared" from further duties.
His widow and three young children were escorted to a police cruiser. And a long procession, which included a riderless motorcycle carried on a trailer, then wound its way through Prince William County.
Prince William County Police Officer Chris Yung will be buried in a private ceremony Saturday in Charlottesville.
Officer Chris Yung
