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CHP: Officer Kenyon Youngstrom Fighting for Life

The seven-year veteran was wounded in a shootout Tuesday on Interstate 680.

CHP officer Kenyon Youngstrom remains in critical condition at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, according to Paul Fontana, acting chief of the Golden Gate Division of the California Highway Patrol.

Fontana provided the update and the identification of the officer at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, about 13 hours after Youngstrom was wounded in a shootout on Interstate 680 near Alamo.

He said Youngstrom, a seven-year veteran of the CHP, previously served in the U.S. Army Reserves. Youngstrom lived in the Cordelia neighborhood of Fairfield.

Fontana said Youngstrom's family has been touched by the outpouring of support they have received since the shooting.

KGO-TV has reported that Youngstrom, 37, is on life support and that the shooting may have severed his spinal cord.

The Contra Costa Times reported that Youngstrom lives in Cordelia, near Fairfield, and worked out of the CHP's regional office in Martinez most of the time.

Complete Patch coverage of the shooting

Ramiro Hernandez September 5, 2012 at 03:12 am
Our Family's heart's and prayer's go out to officer Kenyon Youngstrom and his family. Stay Strong!
cici September 5, 2012 at 03:23 am
Officer Youngstrom you are our hero. We love you
Davis September 5, 2012 at 03:27 am
Look this just sucks, I mean the way God picks his Angels! Officer Youngstrom your everyones prayers!
Lani Jordyn September 5, 2012 at 03:56 am
Ken we know that your going to heaven but we pray its Gods will that you wake up! With God all things are possible.Matthew 19:26
jeri miranda September 5, 2012 at 04:20 am
Medical bills are paid by the CHP since he died on duty. CALL CAlifornia Association for Highway Patrolman and make a donation to their widows and orphans fund. They are in Sacramento.
Pleasanton Mom September 5, 2012 at 04:39 am
Did he in fact pass away? The article says he's in critical condition so I'm wondering if he's now gone. I'm so sorry to the family no matter his current status.
Fellow Highway Brother September 5, 2012 at 05:11 am
You have been involved in our worst nightmare. Keep fighting brother. If you have passed on, I only hope I can fulfill my oath to this state and country as you have.
Jesse September 5, 2012 at 06:08 am
So very sad. My prayers are with him and his family.
Ronny September 5, 2012 at 07:21 am
Hopefully he can pull through and make it my prayers are with his wife and 4 children
c5 September 5, 2012 at 10:50 am
our thoughts go out to you and your family. very sad.
Barbie Deal September 5, 2012 at 10:55 am
I am praying for you Kenyon!! Guy, Jill, & the rest of the family - you are in my prayers as well. Love, your cousin, Barbie (Carlson) Deal
Bradley Larsen September 5, 2012 at 11:26 am
Praying for a miraculous recovery for the wounded CHP officer and prayers for his loving wife, children and extended family. Truly a horrific tragedy no one should have to endure. Thanks to all the women and men of our CHP and local police forces- God be with you all..
Stephen Fredricks September 5, 2012 at 11:27 am
Erin
A noble gesture on your part, however, as state employee his medical bills are more than covered. However, keep following Officer Youngstrom's progress to determine what charities if any are being established for him and his family and go from there. Barbie Deal my prayers and thoughts are with Kenyon and his entire family. Tucson, Arizona
Stephen Fredricks September 5, 2012 at 11:43 am
Davis
Your inappropriate comments about God are out of place; look a little closer and you'll see the connection between faith and people coming together from all walks of life offering their compassion and hopes for a miracle. Words like "this sucks" demonstrates a highly emotional and negative attitude, you need to be more discretionary in how you express yourself, particularly, in tragic moments like this one. You present yourself very hostile to all of us in this forum.
Tom September 5, 2012 at 12:11 pm
My most heartfelt prayers go to the officer and his family. To all cops, we may not like it when you give us tickets when WE choose to break a traffic law but we are with you. Dont think for a moment that the vast majority of us dont care about you and appreciate your difficult job.
This is a sad time for you and it is a sad time for us too. We are with you.
MamaMaria Markison September 5, 2012 at 12:30 pm
We are praying for a miracle and your family Officer Youngstrom. Your a real life superhero and make this world a better place. Please continue to fight!!! Love and healing hugs.
Darci September 5, 2012 at 12:51 pm
praying for Officer Kenyon. I kept thinking about him all night! These officers put there lives on the line for us everyday to keep law and order! Thoughts are with him and his family!!!
Laura Montalvo September 5, 2012 at 12:59 pm
To Officer Youngstrom, his family, and all the CHP Officers out in our community who are fighting to protect us each and every day, my family salutes you. Thank you for your sacrifice and service. My prayers continue to go up for complete healing and recovery for Officer Youngstrom.
Lady Sotelo September 5, 2012 at 01:00 pm
Stephen, why is it necessary to call someone out on their comment? Let each individual express their support in their own way. This thread is for Officer Youngstrom, not our individual egos.
Many thoughts and prayers are with the Youngstrom family. I hope the circumstances of the event come out as I'm sure they'll reveal this officer was performing his job dutifully and correctly. I've heard the news is incorrect in reporting this was a "rookie mistake."
Dan September 5, 2012 at 01:41 pm
The stsate will cover his med bills.
If the worst case scenario happens and he succumbs to his injuries, donating to the family/kids woul be greatly appreciated
Terri Bates September 5, 2012 at 01:50 pm
My family and I are extremely grateful for Officer Youngstrom.. Our prayers are with you and every member of your family. We pray for your complete recovery. You are a hero and you are constantly in our thoughts.
We thank God for ALL Fellow Officers. Each one of you puts your life on the line daily. May God and his Army of Angels be with you all each and every moment of every day!
Constance Dobbins-Lowery September 5, 2012 at 02:17 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with Office Youngstrom and his family. May God give you strength during these trying times...God bless
Michelle Kye September 5, 2012 at 02:35 pm
Praying for Officer Youngstrom and his family and friends. My heart goes out to them during this very difficult time. Law enforcement officers play a vital role in our society and I have enormous respect for them. When one is injured or falls...the loss is felt by us all.
Anne Mobley September 5, 2012 at 02:48 pm
Each night in my prayers I also pray for our law enforcement personnel as well as our military, asking God to keep them out of harms way. I will say special prayers for Officer Youngstrom and his family. Please pray.
Michelle Paxton September 5, 2012 at 03:03 pm
My thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Youngstrom and his family. May angels surround him with love and light and provide him with the strength to heal and guidance to help him and his family through this difficult time. God bless Officer Youngstrom and all officers who put their life on the line daily, for our safety!!
Karen Haley Allen September 5, 2012 at 05:58 pm
My thoughts and prayers are added to this powerful circle of healing light and love. to the Youngstrom family, know that many are praying for a complete recovery. Prayers are going out to all of you. God bless our faithful public servants who protect us in our communities and on the streets.
Dexter Morgan September 5, 2012 at 06:30 pm
But this is unacceptable. No one should be shot for doing their job. My prayers go out for him and his poor family.
Elena Keating September 5, 2012 at 07:20 pm
There's not many positive's in this situation - but thank God all of our uniformed first responders, CHP included, have an amazing brotherhood. Not to mention medical coverage and benefits for the family should they loose him. It's a small stress reliever to know they will be taken care of. How tragic and unnecessary. Such a waste. I hope he can surprise everyone and pull through.
Janice P Ellis September 6, 2012 at 01:50 am
So very sad about this tragedy. It can be so easy to forget that our CHP officers are out there putting their lives on the line every day. I have to admit, when I see a CHP officer, I tend to think, "...am I driving too fast???" But, CHP officers have very, very dangerous jobs, as this tragedy shows.
My heart and prayers go out to Officer Youngstrom's family, friends and loved ones. There are some very dangerous people out there. You just never know what the day will bring. So sad...
Seury September 8, 2012 at 07:19 am
Few weeks ago, i was traveling on Highway. 4 towards walnut Creek. Officer Youngstrom pulled me over as i exceeded speeding limits. He appeared to be a nice guy, though he gave me a ticket. May his soul rest in peace. And may Godbless his family and heal them and help walk through such a painful loss. God bless America!

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