Tom Li is a Bay Area News Group regional news reporting intern for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. Raised in Pleasanton, Tom is currently a student at Brown University studying economics and international and public affairs.
A picture of San Jose police community service officer Long Pham, who was killed by a driver allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol last Saturday, is displayed during a press conference at San Jose Police Department on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. SAN JOSE — Authorities on Monday identified a community service officer killed by a driver allegedly under the influence Saturday night when the driver struck a parked police vehicle as the officer helped direct traffic around an earlier crash.
Community Service Officer Stephanie Scelzi wipes her tears during a press conference at San Jose Police Department on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. A driver allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol struck two San Jose police community service officers, killing Long Pham and critically injuring the other officer, Veronica Baer. The officers were struck by a vehicle while conducting traffic control Saturday night on Monterey Road in response to another unrelated vehicle accident.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan recalled meeting Long and his family at a school event last year, noting his kindness and “big smile.” “They were performing an essential duty necessary to facilitate safe passage for the public following an accident,” Joseph said. “It is a task that is as dangerous as it is routine.”
Officers provided life-saving measures to Long, but he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, police said. Baer continues to recover at the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and remains in serious but stable condition, authorities said Monday.Mahan added that a person is killed by a drunk driver in the United States every 45 minutes.
“We will never forget the sacrifice made by Long Pham and his family, which occurred from choosing to wear the San Jose uniform and serve this community,” Joseph said
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