B.C. Mountie Shaelyn Yang remembered as 'more than a hero' at regimental funeral service

The sound of bagpipes rangout inthe crisp autumn air in Richmond, B.C., as Mounties paidtribute toone of their ownwith a procession and servicehonouring an officer killed on the job last month.

RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang, 31, a homeless and mental health outreach officer, was fatally stabbed while responding to a call abouta man in a tent in a park in Burnaby, B.C., just east of Vancouver, on Oct. 18.

Yang, who lived in Richmond,was remembered Wednesday with a regimental funeralthat began with a street procession tothe Richmond Olympic Oval, where mourners gathered at 11 a.m. PT to say their final goodbyes and thank yous to Yang.

"Shewas a hero long before she paid the ultimate sacrifice," saidRCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki.

The streets of Richmond, which borders Vancouver to the south, were a parade of colouras Mounties marched in red serge and first responders from across the country and Washington state paraded to the funeral venue.

The slap of their boots on the concrete and the steady beat of drums kept time as a crowd of public mourners stood by in sombre solidarity.

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Slain B.C. Mountie Shaelyn Yang honoured Wednesday with a regimental funeral service where she was remembered as a hero for helping the most vulnerable in her community. Her stabbing death while on the job is highlighting the dangers for those working on the front lines of homelessness, addictions and mental health.

Theprocession was led by the RCMP E Division Pipe Band and, as is RCMP tradition, included a riderless horse known as a charger as a tribute to the fallen officer.

Yang's casketwascarried by a hearse surrounded by honorary police pallbearers, while colleagues who trained with Yang, or knew her personally,keptstep behind the hearse.

A hero remembered

Shortly before 11 a.m., the procession ended and participants filed into the funeral venue.

Yang's casket, draped in the Canadian flag, was carried by pallbearers to the front of the room as the primarily uniformed audience watched in silence.

Hats in hand and hands on heart, the mourners stood for the national anthem before the ceremony began.

Yang was the daughter of immigrants from Taichung in central Taiwan. Her parents flewfrom Taiwan to Vancouver to attend her funeral and the family had two representatives speak on their behalf.

Jamie Simpson, a longtime friend of Yang's wife Simone, spoke of the love betweenthe couple and of Yang's warmth, strength and dedication to helping the most vulnerable in her community without judgment.

Simpson described a humble, gentle woman who loved the rain, her new puppy, basketball, martial artsand the colour black despite wearing a red tuxedo to her wedding in 2019.

"She was cool beyond measure," said Simpson.

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Ash Tan says Yang was more than a hero

Speaking after Simpson, Ash Tan said Yang was always a hero to hisfamily and nowthe rest of the worldknows it, too.

Tan spoke of Yang'sempathy, her faith that she could make the world a better place, and that despite facing adversity in her own life, she only grew warmer and kinder.

"Shay was more than a hero, she was human," said Tan.

Luckiand B.C. RCMPCommanding Officer Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald addressed the crowded funeral on behalf of the force. Both spoke of a woman who had an unwavering commitment to her colleagues and career.

Before Yang joined the force full time, she had volunteered with RCMPVictim Services in Richmond prior to her service in Burnabyon the mental health and outreach team.She also volunteered with B.C. Cancer and Canadian Blood Services.

"She always stepped up, without hesitation, whenever there was a need," said McDonald.

It is customary in a regimental funeral for pallbearers to be close colleagues of the deceased. Const. Inder Gill worked with Yang in Burnabyand when he spoke it was both to honour her memory and comfort those left to remember her.

"Know that you are not alone, for every call that you attend Shaelyn is with us in our hearts," said Gill, his voice thick with emotion.

"I love you forever my friend."

The funeral concluded with uniformed members issuing a final salute to Yang.

The RCMP said as many as 2,000 police officerswere joined in the funeral procession by members of the Canada Border Services Agency, the Armed Forces, sheriffs, firefighters and the B.C. Ambulance Service, while another 1,500 members were expected to attend the funeral itself.

Jongwon Ham, 37, is accused of first-degree murder in Yang's death. On Wednesday,he was remanded in custody until Nov. 16.

Anyone who wishes to send a message to the family can emailRCMP.Condolences-Condoleances.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.Police say emailswill be relayed to Yang's loved ones and the Burnaby detachment.