Funeral for San Jose community officer Long Pham
Funeral held for San Jose Community Service Officer killed in the line of duty
Today, family, friends and officers from all around the Bay Area, came to honor the memory of San Jose Community Service Officer, Long Pham. His funeral was held at the SAP Center in San Jose. And though CSO's don't respond to the same types of calls as police officers, the dangers they face are every bit as real. The department wanted to give a fitting send off for the hero he was.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The funeral for Long Pham was held on Friday at the SAP Center in San Jose, where friends, family and colleagues came to remember the first community service officer to die on the job in California's history.
"Service and sacrifice," San Jose Deputy Police Chief Brian Shab said. "Those are two words that you're going to hear a lot about today. It's what brings us together this morning. But you'll also hear a lot about family. What it means to be part of the San Jose Police Department family. Whether you're a community service officer, a police officer, a dispatcher, a call taker, a data specialist, or any one of our other amazing professional staff, we are all part of the San Jose Police Department family. And when one of our brothers and sisters falls in the line of duty, we come together."
Shab then addressed Pham's immediate family, Sue, Kim and Sunny.
"My heart breaks for you," he said. "No parent should ever have to bury a child. And there's nothing we can say or do today that will make your pain any easier to bear. But please know that the entire city of San Jose and the entire San Jose Police Department will forever be indebted to you for Long, and the, selfless sacrifice that was thrust upon you."
The San Jose community officer died on Aug. 3 and was struck by a man charged with drunk driving as he was providing traffic control, police said.
Pham's partner that day, Veronica Baer, was seriously injured.
She was released from the hospital, only to return for major jaw surgery. Police say she is in good spirits but has a lot of healing left to go.
Prosecutors filed a murder charge against 44-year-old Juan Huerta-Palacios. He was also charged with two felony DUI counts due to hitting and injuring Baer. Huerta-Palacios had two prior DUI arrests in 2001 and 2014, the Mercury News reported.
Pham had a visitation earlier this week, where friends and families paid their respects.
"He's the sweetest guy you'll ever meet. Honestly, if you needed anything he'd come help you, no hesitation," Quang Le, Pham's cousin, said on Monday.
His family says it was his dream to protect and serve. Becoming a community service officer was just the beginning.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan addressed this at Pham's funeral, speaking directly to his family.
"I want you to know that our city is grateful to you for sharing your son along with us," Mahan said. "Long's life was cut far too short, but it was a life of honor and service, a life worth living. Like so many members of our community, Long was born abroad in Vietnam and came here. You came here as a family for a better life. Well, you have made this country, this city, better by raising a son who so badly wanted to serve, who was willing to sacrifice, who showed us what public service looks like."
His fellow CSO's described a colleague who was always going above and beyond the call of duty, who had an easy smile, and a big heart. They say law enforcement was his calling.
Andelina Thibodeau, a CSO, recited a poem she wrote for Pham. "We are lesser because you're away, but we're full of memories, jokes and reminders of you," she said.
And city leaders offered a message to his family: San Jose is grateful for the son they raised, and grateful for his service.
"The Pham family find solace in knowing that Long died doing what he loves. His sacrifice is the most noble thing anyone could do in service to others," said Sgt. Tam Truong, his mentor.