SAN JOSE – An emotional memorial service was held Thursday evening for a San Jose social worker who was killed in the line of duty.

Long Pham was working as a traffic controller in the community of Coyote in Santa Clara County earlier this month when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver, according to police.

At Thursday’s memorial service, the community came together to mourn and remember a young man who was loved by many.

It was a night filled with tears and sadness as family, friends and Long Pham’s colleagues from the San Jose Police Department paid their final respects to his life.

Many described Pham as a dedicated and caring social worker. His colleague Loretta Terry knew Pham before he joined the department. His mother cut her mother’s hair before she died.

“I kind of left that memory,” Terry said. “It’s a nice memory and it shows that he came from good people, which is why he’s so popular in the department.”

Because of their family history, Loretta says, they weren’t just colleagues at work.

“Pham and I called each other cousins,” she said. “We worked the same rotating shift and before and after our meetings we would say, ‘Hi cousin!'”

Council member Bien Doan organized the vigil. He says Pham left a legacy for the Vietnamese community.

“This is absolutely devastating for the community because we don’t have many Vietnamese police officers,” said Councilmember Doan. “When there is a death like this, it impacts all of our lives.”

“I think for the Vietnamese community, he is a symbol of bravery and strength,” added Samantha Chan of San Jose. “He really shows that bravery can really impact the community and bring it together.”

Joseph Pham says the family is grateful for the support. While it is a difficult time, it is comforting to know that Long Pham has impacted so many people.

“Long is the kind of person who accepts you for who you are,” Joseph Pham said. “He would serve his community, his family, whoever it is.”