PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Andy Chan, a Philadelphia highway patrol officer who was critically injured while on duty six years ago, has died, police officials announced Tuesday.
“His loss is felt deeply by all who knew him,” the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 said in a social media post. “We ask that you hold his wife, children, loved ones, friends, and his Brothers and Sisters in the Police Department in your prayers during this difficult time. Andy died a hero and we will always remember and honor his sacrifice.”
In January 2019, Chan, who was 48 at the time, was on his police motorcycle when he was hit by a van near Pennypack Park. He suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Chan was placed on a ventilator for weeks. He was eventually able to breathe on his own but has required around-the-clock care since the accident.
In 2017, about two years before the accident, Chan spoke with 1210WPHT about his decision to become a police officer.
“My father and mom used to own a Chinese restaurant,” he said. “A lot of police officers used to go to my restaurant and get food when I was a kid. … Since then, I had a passion of becoming a police officer.”
Chan was also involved in community outreach and the city’s Hero Thrill Show, raising money for the children of first responders killed in the line of duty.
Chan was a 24-year veteran of the police department at the time of his injury. He is survived by his wife and three children.
An annual fundraiser for Chan, the Andy Chan Holiday Block Party, is still scheduled for Dec. 12 at Craft Hall.