Slain CHP Officer Honored

Members of the California Highway Patrol, along with local public officials, California State Senators and Assemblypersons, friends and family attended a ceremony on Friday, September 5, 2014 to dedicate the Interstate 680 / State Route 24 Interchange in Walnut Creek to fallen CHP Officer Kenyon Youngstrom. The ceremony and dedication comes on the two year anniversary of Officer Youngstrom’s End of Watch.

The naming of a California highway or structure is considered one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a law enforcement officer. Even those who did not know Officer Youngstrom or his story will know that he served the people of California faithfully, and paid the ultimate price and laid down his life in the line of duty. This interchange is one of the busiest in Northern California, and will be seen by countless thousands of people per day, a fitting tribute to Officer Youngstrom.

On September 4, 2012, Officer Youngstrom was assigned to patrol State Route 24 from Walnut Creek to the Caldecott Tunnel in Orinda. Officer Youngstrom had traveled to I-680 in Alamo to assist his beat partner, Officer Tyler Carlton. While there, Officer Carlton made a traffic stop on a vehicle for an obstructed license plate. Officer Youngstrom waved the driver onto the shoulder behind his patrol vehicle and contacted the driver. Within seconds of making contact, the driver pulled a gun and fired several times, hitting Youngstrom and knocking him into the lanes of traffic.

Officer Carlton immediately returned fire, striking the suspect several times. The suspect succumbed to his wounds at the scene. Officer Carlton ran immediately to Officer Youngstrom’s side and began administering emergency medical aid. Officer Youngstrom was transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. Unfortunately, the wounds he sustained were not survivable. Officer Youngstrom succumbed to his injuries on September 5, 2012. His organs were harvested and donated to others per his wishes, ultimately saving the lives of at least four other people.

Officer Kenyon Marc Youngstrom is the 223rd member of the CHP to have lost their life in the line of duty. Officer Youngstrom is a veteran of the United States Army and served with the CHP for seven years. He is survived by his wife, four children, mother, and five siblings.

--Message from the California Highway Patrol