Abbotsford Police officer who intervened in Nelson disturbance dies of injuries

ABBOTSFORD (NEWS 1130) – The Abbotsford Police officer who was on life support after intervening in a disturbance in Nelson last week has died.

Chief Constable Mike Serr confirmed the news of Const. Allan Young’s passing on Twitter Wednesday morning, writing “With a heavy heart our #AbbyPD family says goodbye to Cst Allan Young.Allan was proud to wear the badge; to protect & serve. He’s remembered by all for his smile & infectious personality. #RIP brother – you made a difference.”

With a heavy heart our #AbbyPD family says goodbye to Cst Allan Young. A 4yr officer w @TorontoPolice & 16yrs with AbbyPD. Allan was proud to wear the badge; to protect & serve. He's remembered by all for his smile & infectious personality. #RIP brother – you made a difference pic.twitter.com/mNiAsvFAOQ

— Mike Serr (@MikeSerr477) July 22, 2020

Sgt. Judy Bird tells NEWS 1130 Young died overnight Tuesday surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues.

“This has left our entire department and community without words. This is very, very sad for us,” Bird says. “Even if you knew Allan or not, wherever he went he went with a smile on his face. He always made you smile. If you weren’t in the best of moods, he walked in the room, he was contagious. He had a joke to crack, he had a laugh. He was just a lovely, lovely soul. His energy will be missed.

Young was placed on life support after being brought to the hospital in the interior in critical condition on Thursday. The police department announced earlier this week Young was not expected to survive his injuries.

According to the APD, the 55-year-old officer had approached a man who was said to have been causing a disturbance on a Nelson roadway when the altercation occurred. The 26-year-old man has since been arrest.

“He always had time for a laugh and a joke,” Serr previously said in a statement. “Allan was never too busy for his friends and family and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to help.”

Bird echoes that sentiment, saying Young would always do what he could to lend a hand — no matter the situation.

“Offer his assistance, be it with a police file or if you were struggling with a package, or whatever that might have been, he always stepped in to lend a hand. He never walked away from somebody who needed something.”

Young was born and raised in Dumbarton, Scotland. He joined the British Royal Navy as a Marine Engineering Mechanic at just 16 years old. He would serve with the navy until 1987, according to the APD.

He immigrated to Canada years later, in 1997, joining the Toronto Police Service in 2000.

Young joined the Abbotsford Police Department in 2004, spending his 16 years with the department in patrol as well as the Drug Enforcement Unit.

The police department has said Young had a “zest for life that was unparalleled with a dedication and passion for policing and the Abbotsford Police Department. He will be missed.”

The APD says it’s there’s been an outpouring of support from the community, and that it’s grateful.

-With files from Mike Lloyd and The Canadian Press