Thousands gather for funeral of Burnaby Mountie Const. Shaelyn Yang
Posted November 2, 2022 2:57 pm.
Last Updated November 2, 2022 5:02 pm.
Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn (Tzu-Hsin) Yang was honoured by thousands of officers from across the country for her regimental funeral in Richmond on Wednesday.
Bagpipes and the sound of marching could be heard across the city in honour of the fallen officer.
When the procession got to the Richmond Olympic Oval, Yang’s casket, draped in a Canadian flag, was brought inside.
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The arena was filled with first responders, with the first few rows saved for Yang’s loved ones.
Throughout the ceremony, Yang was honoured by colleagues, family, and friends.
Thousands gathered at the Richmond Olympic Oval for the funeral of Burnaby Const. Shaelyn (Tzu-Hsin) Yang. (Screenshot courtesy BC RCMP)
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki says Yang will forever be remembered as a hero.
“We will always remember Shaelyn for her unflinching bravery and selflessness when faced with lethal danger on that day, Oct. 18 — a day that will be forever etched in our memories,” she said during the ceremony.
Yang’s cousin, Ash Tan, also spoke during the ceremony.
“Everything she did was defined by her empathy, her compassion, and her belief that she could change the world. She helped everyone she could because she had faith in them. She had faith that each and every one of us could make the world a better place,” he said.
Members of the public also came out to watch the procession.
“It’s not right. When they go out, they should be able to come back. It’s just really very sad. I just really feel for her family. What a tragedy,” one person told OMNI news.
“It hits home for everybody that may have a Mountie in their family,” said another.
After the ceremony, mounties surrounded the Oval, and Yang’s casket was brought into a hearse and driven away.
Thousands of uniformed RCMP officers followed the hearse containing the casket of Const. Shaelyn Yang in Richmond. (Screenshot courtesy, BC RCMP)
Yang was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 18 after being stabbed while attending a call in Burnaby’s Broadview Park.
The man accused in her death has been charged with first-degree murder. Jongwon Ham, 37, remains in custody.
With files from Hana Mae Nassar.
