How You Can Help

Two memorial funds have been established to assist the family of Officer Youngstrom:

Any Wells Fargo Bank branch will accept donations for the "Kenyon Marc Youngstrom Children's Benefit Memorial fund".
Any Mechanics Bank branch will accept donations for the trust account, "For Benefit of Officer Kenyon Youngstrom".

Checks payable to "For Benefit of Officer Kenyon Youngstrom" can be mailed to:

Mechanics Bank
1350 North Main St.
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Wire transfers can be sent to routing number 121102036 and addressed "For Officer Kenyon Youngstrom."

About the Honoree

On September 4, 2012, at approximately 0820 hours, Officer Kenyon Youngstrom of the CHP Contra Costa command was on patrol on I-680 southbound. He had just completed an enforcement stop on a motorist when his beat partner, Officer Tyler Carlton, advised Officer Youngstrom he was approaching Youngstrom’s location, following a motorist driving a Jeep on which he intended to initiate an enforcement stop.

As the Jeep approached in stop-and-go traffic, Officer Youngstrom waved the driver to the shoulder of I-680 and the driver complied, stopping behind the parked patrol vehicle. Officer Carlton followed the Jeep to the shoulder and stopped his patrol vehicle behind the Jeep. Officer Youngstrom approached the driver and engaged in a brief conversation when the driver produced a handgun and shot Officer Youngstrom. Officer Carlton drew his weapon and shot the driver, inflicting lethal injuries. Officer Carlton requested assistance and provided Officer Youngstrom with medical aid until he was relieved by responding personnel.

Officer Youngstrom was transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, with life threatening injuries. On Wednesday, September 6 at 1805 hours, Officer Youngstrom, age 37, was pronounced deceased with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife Karen, and four children ages 5 to 17; his parents, Gaylord and Jill Youngstrom of Riverside, CA.; four brothers and a sister.

Officer Youngstrom entered the CHP Academy in August 2005, and was assigned to the CHP’s Contra Costa Area upon graduation in February 2006. He transferred to the CHP’s Golden Gate Division headquarters in January 2009, and had transferred back to the Contra Costa Area office on August 1, 2012. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1994 to 2000, achieving the rank of Specialist.

Officer Kenyon Youngstrom is survived by his wife Karen, and four children ages 5 to 17; his parents, Gaylord and Jill Youngstrom of Riverside, CA.; four brothers and a sister.