Abbotsford Police Const. Allan Young is seen in an undated handout photo. /The Canadian Press
A British Columbia police officer is being remembered for his “spark for life” and love of sharing stories and advice.
Constable Allan Young, a 16-year member of the Abbotsford Police Department, died Tuesday, days after intervening in a dispute during an off-duty visit to the southeastern B.C. city of Nelson.
Abbotsford police spokeswoman Sergeant Judy Bird said the 55-year-old had been on life support since July 16 and died surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his wife and adult daughter.
“He had a spark for life. He had a spark for community. But that doesn’t give justice to how he shared positive energy with everybody, it didn’t matter who you were,” she said.
Sgt. Bird said Abbotsford residents have relayed how Constable Young told stories about his own difficult times in order to help them cope with their challenges.
“That human element impacted people’s lives and that makes a huge difference,” she said.
Constable Young was born in Scotland, served in the British Royal Navy and immigrated to Canada in 1997, where he joined the Toronto Police Service in 2000 and served for four years.
“I don’t know what brought him to British Columbia, but we were very lucky to snag Constable Young … in 2004, and ever since that day he has been a ray of sunshine in our building,” said Sgt. Bird.
She laughed while describing his thick Scottish accent, which she said he never lost.
“He would speak quickly because he was just so happy and energetic, and if you didn’t catch exactly what was said at least you got a gist of what the conversation was and it was always, usually, very funny.”
Police in Nelson have released few details of what happened when Constable Young stepped into the altercation in that city’s downtown core.
They confirmed a 26-year-old man was arrested and remains in custody charged with aggravated assault.
Premier John Horgan called Constable Young’s death a tragic loss.
“Our hearts are with the friends, family and colleagues of AbbyPoliceDept Const. Allan Young,” Mr. Horgan said in a social media post, Wednesday.
Abbotsford Chief Constable Mike Serr issued a statement Monday, while Constable Young was still on life support, saying that he treated everyone with kindness and respect.
“He always had time for a laugh and a joke,” Chief Constable Serr said. “Allan was never too busy for his friends and family, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to help.”
Details about a service for Constable Young were not yet available, Sgt. Bird said.
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