On Thursday night, the San Jose community gathered to honor Long Pham, a community service officer who tragically lost his life while on duty. Earlier this month, Pham was managing traffic in the Coyote area of Santa Clara County when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver.
The memorial brought together family, friends, and colleagues to remember Long Pham, who was deeply loved by many. The evening was filled with tears as those who knew him shared memories of his life and service.
Long Pham was described as a dedicated and caring officer. His colleague, Loretta Terry, had known Pham before he joined the San Jose Police Department. Their families were connected, as Pham’s mother used to cut Terry’s mother’s hair.
Terry recalled their close relationship at work, saying, We called each other cousins. We worked the same shift and always greeted each other with ‘hi cousin.
Councilmember Bien Doan, who organized the vigil, emphasized Pham’s significance to the Vietnamese community. It’s a huge loss for us because we don’t have many Vietnamese officers. His death impacts us all, Doan said.
Samantha Chan, a San Jose resident, added, Pham was a symbol of bravery and strength for our community. His courage brought people together.
Joseph Pham, a family member, expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received. “Even in this difficult time, it’s comforting to know that Long touched so many lives. He was the kind of person who accepted everyone and always served his community and family.