Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang’s funeral takes place today in Richmond

Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn (Tzu-Hsin) Yang will be honoured by thousands Wednesday, as her funeral takes place in Richmond.

The officer was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 18.

Retired Staff-Sgt.-Maj. John Buis, a former commander of the Burnaby RCMP, says the loss of a fellow officer is always gut wrenching.

“That initial shock that when you hear about it, it’s something you really don’t want to have happen ever again. But it does happen and you move on from that in that we have to pay our respects to Const. Yang and do it in a fitting matter,” he told CityNews.

He believes such a loss also resonates with the public.

“There’s a lot of police officers across Canada, but with the RCMP, because we’re a national police force, it does impact a lot of Canadians. They feel that we’re part of their fabric and they join with us to celebrate the life of this young woman,” he told CityNews.

While Buis did not personally know Yang, he says he has gotten to learn more about the officer, who was a homeless and mental health outreach officer, in the days following her death.

“And what a good police officer she was. There’s still that kinship and you’ll see that on Wednesday within the RCMP and the policing community. When we go through training, we usually go through with 31 other people — a troop — for six months, and you make long-lasting friendships and attachments to those people. So one of the things that will be quite evident, that many of her troopmates, the ones she went through training with, will be there and probably front and centre and involved in the activities, because of that bond that stays with you for the rest of your life.”

Funeral, procession details

More than 2,000 uniformed personnel are expected to march in the procession, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Richmond BCIT campus on Russ Baker Way. The procession is set to move along Gilbert Road and River Road, before arriving to Oval Way, with a service planned at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

There, the officers will be joined by 1,500 other members.

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Several B.C. police forces, various BC RCMP detachments, and departments from Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and Washington state will be represented. In addition to police, members of the Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Armed Forces, B.C. ambulance services, BC Sheriffs, and firefighters from across the Lower Mainland will be in attendance.

Drivers will notice various traffic impacts from the time the procession leaves to when events finish. The RCMP is warning drivers to be aware of “significant road closures and restrictions” around the Richmond Olympic Oval between about 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang’s funeral procession route and related road closures in Richmond. (Courtesy RCMP)

“Roadways on both sides of the Fraser River near the YVR South terminal will be affected,” the RCMP says.

It notes travellers will still be able to access the YVR South Terminal, though people should plan ahead for potential delays.

All roads between and including No. 2 Road and Gilbert Road, north of Westminster Hwy will also be affected.
Travellers are advised that the YVR South Terminal will still be accessible, but they should plan ahead for unexpected delays due to traffic congestion in the area.

— BCRCMP (@BCRCMP) November 1, 2022

While the funeral is not open to the public, the RCMP says there are other options for people to pay their respects to Yang and her family.

In addition to a livestream, which can be watched on CityNews 24/7, the City of Burnaby is also hosting a public viewing at Willingdon Church.

The RCMP notes that capacity is limited to about 1,800 people, as is parking.

Suspect Burnaby RCMP officer’s death in court Wednesday

Meanwhile, as people across the country honour the fallen RCMP officer, the man accused in her death is set to appear in court.

Yang was called to Burnaby’s Broadview Park to assist a bylaw officer with reports of a man in a tent when she was stabbed. She succumbed to her injuries.

The suspect, who has been identified as Jongwon Ham, has been charged with first-degree murder and remains in custody.

The 37-year-old is expected to return to a Vancouver court Wednesday to set a date for his next appearance.

Yang’s death prompted an outpouring of support and condolences from first responders across the region and Canada.

A procession for Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang was held Thursday, Oct. 20, as her body was taken from Vancouver General to Burnaby Hospital. She died while on the job on Oct. 18. (CityNews Image)

In a statement on Oct. 27, Yang’s family expressed immense grief following the loss.

“She was fond of the land where she grew up and was very involved in her community as it shaped her upbringing,” the family said, noting Yang moved to Canada from Taiwan at a young age, settling with her loved ones in the Greater Vancouver area.

The family says Yang brought laughter and joy wherever she went.

“Shaelyn was gentle yet brave, compassionate yet courageous; and she was born with the gift of supporting and empowering others.”

Yang started her policing career working as a volunteer part-time with the Richmond RCMP’s Victim Services before becoming an officer in 2019. After joining the Burnaby detachment, she started working with the RCMP’s Police Mental Health and Homeless Outreach Team, according to the force.

The funeral for Yang is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. You can watch a livestream of the memorial and find full coverage on-air and online throughout the day on CityNews.

-With files from Martin MacMahon