Regimental funeral planned for Burnaby RCMP officer killed in the line of duty

Funeral preparations have begun for a Burnaby RCMP officer who was killed on the job earlier this month.

const. Shaelyn Yang, 31, who was a homelessness and mental health outreach worker, was linked to a city worker when she was fatally stabbed in response to a call about a man in a tent at a park in Burnaby, east of Vancouver, October 18. .

Jongwon Ham, 37, has since been charged with first degree murder. Ham was wanted on a previous assault charge at the time of his arrest.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, police said planning is underway for a regimental funeral service for Yang to be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday November 2 at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

Regimental funerals include a variety of RCMP customs and traditions, including a procession with a riderless horse to honor the fallen constable, as well as honorary pallbearers.

In the days following Yang’s death, first responders held impromptu processions to honor their fallen colleague.

WATCH | First responders line the streets to pay their respects to a deceased Burnaby RCMP officer:

Thousands of police and other responders lined the streets Oct. 19 as Yang’s body was transported from Vancouver General Hospital to Burnaby Hospital. Hundreds of people marched out the next day in Surrey in a continued show of support.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Taiwan’s de facto diplomatic office in Vancouver, says Yang was the daughter of immigrants from Taichung in central Taiwan.

Yang, who also went by his first name, Tzu-Hsin, was a member of the Taiwanese-Canadian community in British Columbia,

Ruby Ba, president of the Taiwanese Canadian Association of British Columbia, said the community will do everything in its power to support Yang’s family.

We will be there when and where we can to help, » Ba said.

According to the RCMP, Yang’s family is expected to release a statement in the coming days.

« The need to provide time and space for the family is important as they go through the grieving process and prepare for the funeral, » read a statement from the RCMP.

Anyone wishing to email the family can email GRC.Condolences-Condoleances.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, and police say these will be forwarded to Yang’s relatives and Burnaby Detachment.