Chief Paco Balderrama and District 5 Councilmember Luiz Chavez made the announcement at the station, on Argyle Avenue near Clovis and Tulare avenues.
The city broke ground on “Officer Phia Vang Police Station” in 2019. The 10,200-square-foot facility replaces an older station at Cedar Avenue south of Butler Avenue, which was no longer centrally located within the growing southeast district. A plaque is enscribed in his honor on the building.
Phia Vang Fresno Police Department
Vang, who came to the United States from Laos in 1980, had worked with the Fresno Police Department for nearly 30 years as an officer in the southeast, northwest and southwest districts. He also worked with the MAGEC anti-gang unit and a neighborhood police officer in the northwest district.
He was killed while driving on Highway 180 east of Fresno. An intoxicated driver, who was driving the wrong way on the freeway, was also killed in the crash. Vang was married and a father of four.
At a ceremony Friday morning, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer described Vang as a role model for those in the department and the Hmong community.
“Officer Phia Vang gave his all. He gave his all to this community. He gave his all to the police department. And he gave his family and to his friends,” said Dyer, who was chief of police when Vang died.
This isn’t the first time Vang has been honored for his service.
Hmong dancers perform during a dedication ceremony for the Fresno Police Department’s southeast district station, which is being named in honor of Phia Vang who died in an off-duty car crash, on Friday, April 15, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer speaks about former Fresno police officer Phia Vang during a dedication ceremony for the Fresno Police Department’s southeast district station, which is being named in honor of Vang, on Friday, April 15, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama speaks about former Fresno police officer Phia Vang during a dedication ceremony for the Fresno Police Department’s southeast district station, which is being named in honor of Vang, on Friday, April 15, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Former Fresno Councilmember Blong Xiong speaks during a dedication ceremony for the Fresno Police Department’s southeast district station, which is being named in honor of Phia Vang who died in an off-duty car crash, on Friday, April 15, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
An attendee shades himself with a program during a dedication ceremony for the Fresno Police Department’s southeast district station, which is being named in honor of Phia Vang who died in an off-duty car crash, on Friday, April 15, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
A large crowd, many of whom are members of the Hmong community, attend a dedication ceremony for the Fresno Police Department’s southeast district station, which is being named in honor of Phia Vang who died in an off-duty car crash, on Friday, April 15, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 1:27 PM.
Joshua Tehee covers breaking news for The Fresno Bee, writing on a wide range of topics from police, politics and weather, to arts and entertainment in the Central Valley.
