Highway memorial planned for veteran Fresno police officer killed by wrong-way driver

A fundraiser luncheon was held Wednesday in downtown Fresno to help raise money for a freeway sign to honor a veteran Fresno police officer killed in a collision on his way home from work.

Officer Phia Vang was killed on Highway 180 by a wrong-way driver in February 2019. The other driver also died.

A portion of Highway 180 will be named in Vang’s honor, according to Alisha Gallon, a spokeswoman for Assembly member Jim Patterson.

Gallon said the State of California does not pay the cost of memorial signs, so Wednesday’s benefit helped the family fund the tribute.

Patterson attended the event, along with members of the Vang family and Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, who was police chief when Vang was killed.

Vang, a 48-year-old married father of four, was a 26-year veteran of the police department, having worked in southeast, northwest and southwest districts as a patrol officer. He also worked with the MAGEC anti-gang unit.

“He was a loving husband, a loving father, and an incredible police officer,” Dyer said at Vang’s memorial, adding that Vang was a trailblazer in the department as its third Hmong officer when he joined the force.

This story was originally published November 10, 2021 at 11:03 AM.