Greece, N.Y. – A retired Gates Police officer was hit and killed by a car Saturday morning.
Gates Police says Sung “Sonny” Chung, 47, died after being hit on West Ridge Rd. just before 10 a.m. Investigators say an SUV went off the road and ran up on the sidewalk before flipping over, hitting Chung.
The news comes as a shock to Andy Paris, a neighbor of Chung for six years.
"Very depressing. He’s going to be missed," Paris said. "He was a
very friendly man, would say hello to everyone."
It was that same attitude Chung carried with him to work everyday."He was a good man, very focused on his family," Gates Police Chief David DiCaro said. "He was a cut up, he would come in and always put a smile on your face."
Chung was the first Korean officer in Monroe County.
He served for both the Rochester Police Department and Gates Police Department for more than ten years.
His dedication to his job ultimately changed his life dramatically in 2002.
"He was responding to a call for a burglary in progress and Sonny was involved in a very serious car crash, Chief DiCaro said.
As a result of that crash ten years ago, Chung suffered a severe brain injury, forcing him to retire; but that never slowed him down.
"That's exactly what he loved doing, he loved being a cop, being in the heat of the battle, Greece Police Chief Todd Baxter said. "He never recovered from that he always wanted to be a cop after his injury."
Chung's wife and kids have always been by his side; now it's time for Chung's other family of men and women in uniform to stand by their side.
"While we will miss Sonny, we will pray for his family, because they certainly need our prayers today," DiCaro said.
Prayers for the family of the man who was as good a policeman as he was a neighbor.
The driver of the SUV, Jonathan Rader, 23, was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Police say Rader is cooperating with police, providing statements as to what happened.
At this time, police say there is no indication of alcohol use or distracted driving.
The crash is still under inevstigation.
It appears there were no witnesses to this accident.
If you have any information, you're asked to call the Greece Police Department at 585-865-9200.
