South San Francisco holds vigil for injured officer

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Hundreds of people turned out for a vigil in South San Francisco Monday night in support of the police officer who was brutally attacked with a skateboard on Thanksgiving. He suffered a serious head injury, but we're learning some potentially good news about his recovery.

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Police closed the street in front of the South San Francisco Police Department to make room for more than 200 people who came to support officer Robbie Chon.

"Just a really good hearted person," said SSF resident Cinfonie Bayone. "Always smiling."

Bayone brought cards for everyone to sign. She met officer Chon through the Citizens Academy. "They are family, is the way we look at it and they made us feel like family."

Officer Chon was responding to a man causing a disturbance on Grand Avenue around 2:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. The man hit officer Chon on the head with a skateboard and knocked him unconscious. Police arrested 28-year-old Luis Ramos-Coreas for the assault.

Officer Chon is a husband and father. His sister Yumi Chon spoke at the vigil. "As I look into my two young nephew's eyes, I want to assure them that everything will be okay," she said.

Chon has a long and difficult recovery ahead but his family and fellow officers are hopeful after learning he gave his doctors a thumb's up.

FULL VIDEO: Police say South San Francisco officer in critical condition after assault

"I think we should all give a thumb's up to officer Chon," said Congresswoman Jackie Speier, who was among those who thanked the community for coming together.

"It seems like such a big city when you drive around it but we really are like that sort of home town feeling," said Sgt. Ken Chetcuti.

In addition to holding the vigil, South San Francisco lit up City Hall in blue, in honor of officer Chon.