Manslaughter charges laid in Nelson death of off-duty Abbotsford police officer

NELSON (NEWS 1130) — A man has been charged with manslaughter in the death of an off-duty Abbotsford police officer last summer in Nelson, according to police.

Const. Allan Young was taken to hospital in critical condition after being assaulted on July 16, 2020. He died from his injuries five days later.

“This investigation is in the preliminary stages,” a statement from Nelson Police issued at the time said. “However, it appears that one male was causing a disturbance in the roadway when the victim approached him and a physical altercation ensued.”

Alex Willness, a 26-year-old man from Castlegar, was charged last week and remains in custody. His next court appearance is March 9.

Young’s friends and colleagues remember him as someone who was always willing to help.

“With a police file or if you were struggling with a package, or whatever that might have been — he always stepped in to lend a hand. He never walked away from somebody who needed something,” said Sgt. Judy Bird last summer.

Young joined the Abbotsford Police Department in 2004, spending his 16 years with the department in patrol as well as the Drug Enforcement Unit.

The police department has said Young had a “zest for life that was unparalleled with a dedication and passion for policing and the Abbotsford Police Department. He will be missed.”