Slain Police Officer a Christian - March 10, 2010

Vu Pham was going about his job as a constable in the Ontario Provincial Police this past Monday, March 8, as he had for the last 15 years.  He was serving the good guys and working hard at catching the bad guys.  He had already lived and served in two Ontario communities – Cochrane and Parry Sound – before moving his family about five years ago to Wingham to join the Huron detachment.

Everything changed when he pulled over 70 year old Fred Preston of Sundridge Ontario, having responded to a domestic trouble call at Preston’s ex-wife’s home.  Upon being stopped by Constable Pham, Mr. Preston took out his rifle from the back of his truck and shot through the police cruiser window, striking the police officer.  Constable Pham died of head wounds several hours later.

In a strange bit of coincidence, Constable Pham grew up in Sundridge, a village of about 1000 people near Burk’s Falls, and attended the same church as Mr. Preston.  Vu Pham’s father had been the pastor of that church when he and his wife adopted Vu.  Mr. Preston had served as Reeve of Joly Township until 2003 and was well known in his community.  He was a logger and is a talented wood carver.  Those that know him are in shock, disbelieving that he was capable of murder.  

Vu Pham was born in Saigon, Vietnam in 1973, and came to Canada alone as one of the “boat people” who escaped Vietnam following the end of the Vietnam War.  His father had been an officer in the South Vietnam army and was killed during the war.  His mother was imprisoned when his family tried to leave the country.  Vu was adopted by a Pentecostal pastor and his wife in Northern Ontario.  He leaves behind his wife Heather and three sons, Tyler, 12, Jordan, 10, and Joshua, 7.

Those that knew him, speak of a man who was committed to his family, his community and his profession.  He was on the executive of the Wingham Minor Hockey Association and coached his son’s soccer team.  Lorne MacKenzie, the Pham’s next door neighbour said “"I can't imagine anyone having a bad thing to say about Vu. I'm going to miss him.

OPP Commissioner Julian Fontino commented on the death of Constable Pham saying “The officer was engaged in the normal execution of his duty as a police officer.  There is nothing routine about this job but you are not supposed to get shot ... it should not be like this.” The reality is “when a police officer leaves his family each day to go to work he or she faces that risk.”  Later, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said “"Every day, our police officers serve our families by keeping our communities safe and upholding the rule of law. Today, we are reminded that our safety and security sometimes comes at a high price.”

Vu Pham was also a follower of Jesus Christ.  He was active in Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church in Wingham, serving as a deacon.  When the news reached his church family that Vu had been shot in the line of duty, they gathered to pray.  As the prayer meeting ended word arrived that he had died, with Heather and his sons at his side. 

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