Slain Alameda Co. Sheriff recruit honored, casket transported to Colma funeral home
Ten days after David Nguyen was shot and killed, his body was moved from the Oakland coroner's office to his final resting place
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Ten days after an Alameda County Sherriff's Office recruit was shot and killed near the Bay Bridge toll plaza, his body was transported from the coroner's office to the funeral home where he will be laid to rest.
David Nguyen was 28-years old and driving in his personal vehicle when he was shot. As an eight year veteran of the army before joining the academy, a number of law enforcement officials attended in full uniform to pay their respects.
"It's our way to pay respect to one of our best young recruits," said Sheriff Greg Ahern with Alameda County. He went on to say "We want to make sure he is not forgotten. We want to make sure we can do our best to represent what he was going to be." Working for the sheriff's office was his dream.
RELATED: 'We were like best friends': Sister of slain Alameda Co. Sheriff recruit shares memories of his life
"He had so much potential. So much potential," said Ahern.
Speaking to ABC7's Dion Lim in her first on-camera interview shortly after her brother's death, David's sister Barbara recalled seeing her brother's flag-draped body bag. Friday, she and his girlfriend Shanice saw his flag-draped casket loaded into a hearse.
David's death, which is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol comes amid a number of high-profile shooting deaths on Bay Area freeways.
Jasper Wu, only 23 months old, on 880 and mother of two and 29-year old Amani Morris on I-80. Both in November.
ABC7 has made a number of requests to CHP for specific numbers on freeway shootings in the Bay Area in 2021. Despite pressing the agency for weeks the agency has not provided thorough data for the entire year. However, the partial stats provided to ABC7 show a sharp increase in freeway shootings over 2020.
VIDEO: Alameda Co. Sheriff's recruit fatally shot while driving home from work on I-580 in Oakland
SEE ALSO: 4 fatal freeway shootings that occurred in Oakland since May remain unsolved
Sky7 flew overhead as David's body arrived at Woodlawn cemetery in Colma. Together, Barbara and David's girlfriend Shanice kissed his casket and mourned. At times, there were moments of laughter- remembering the good times.
"I just smile thinking about him, everybody loves my brother," said Barbara shortly after David's passing.
According to family and the ACLO Sherriff's Office, David was the breadwinner for his family. His parents, immigrants from Vietnam who live in San Francisco's Bayview and were still too heartbroken to attend today.
RELATED: From shootings to armed robberies, OPD chief addresses crime-filled weekend
The sheriff's office set up a GoFundMe account to help David's family, you can visit here.
"They still need a lot more. If you could do anything for the family that would be wonderful," said Ahern.
The sheriff's office vowed to remember David with dignity, honor and respect. His sister, shared what her brother would have also wanted.
"Care for people, have a genuine heart for people....enjoy the small things in life."
