PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The Philadelphia Police Department and members of the community gathered Monday evening to begin paying final respects to Officer Andy Chan, who served for more than 20 years.
Commanders from across the department marched to Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church as family members looked on. Shortly after, a public viewing was held for Chan, who died Dec. 2 after years of intensive care following a 2019 crash in which a driver struck his motorcycle.
“When you look at Andy, whose accident was almost six years ago, we continued to support him and his family through that difficult time, and now supporting him as he goes on to a better place,” Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said.
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Chan, 55, grew up in Philadelphia’s Chinatown neighborhood and attended elementary school at Holy Redeemer, the same church where Monday’s viewing took place, according to John Chin, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation.
“He’s been in Chinatown all his life, and he was coming back here all the time. It’s a huge loss,” said Chin.
Chin knew Chan personally, growing up in Chinatown together. He said Chan wanted to be a police officer from a young age and remained deeply connected to his community.
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“Tonight and tomorrow it’s really about celebrating Andy Chan the person, the good deeds he’s done all his life,” Chin said.
Chan will be laid to rest on Tuesday.
“Tomorrow will be a very solemn but a more special day as we celebrate an incredible young man, not just an incredible police officer, but an absolutely incredible human being,” Bethel said.
Early Tuesday morning, a procession will escort Chan from the funeral home to the Philadelphia Police Department before continuing to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Logan Square.
The public is invited to pay their respects from 8 to 11 a.m.
Services will follow, with seating reserved for family, friends, law enforcement and dignitaries.
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