New California Police Station Named for Officer Killed by Wrong-Way Driver

FRESNO, California -- Fresno's newest police substation was officially named on Friday, in honor of Phia Vang — the veteran officer who was killed by a drunk driver while headed home from work in 2019.

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.

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.

Earlier this year a section of Highway 180 at Temperance Avenue was designated the Officer Phia Vang Memorial Interchange.

This story was originally published April 15, 2022 1:27 PM.

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