A soon-to-be mother made headlines after she intervened heroically during a serious domestic violence situation, earning her recognition as the first female recipient of the Port Authority’s PBA Police Officer of the Year award.
Officer Victoria Yong received the accolade at her union’s annual dinner, just days ahead of the birth of her daughter.
“I feel really honored to receive this. Honestly, I never imagined I’d be the first woman to win it, so that makes it even more special,” Yong shared with The Post on Wednesday.
Back in October, while four months pregnant and off-duty, Yong witnessed a 17-year-old boy sprinting from her home in Flushing, visibly injured and distressed.
Authorities reported that a drunk brother-in-law allegedly murdered his 50-year-old mother before holding her at knifepoint. In a chaotic twist, he also injured himself and attempted to ignite the house.
Even while aware of the potential danger, Yong didn’t hesitate to act. She called 911 and assisted in getting the teenager into an ambulance while also contributing to the arrest of the suspect.
“It was instinctive. Someone was hurt, and my training just kicked in,” Yong said, displaying remarkable humility.
Having served as a Port Authority police officer for three years, Yong previous experience includes nearly five years with the New York City Police Department.
She mentioned that her aspiration to be an officer started in her childhood.
“I used to watch cop shows and think, ‘I want to do that!’ ‘Criminal Minds’ was definitely my favorite,” Yong recalled.
She was recognized for her bravery and altruism at the Port Authority PBA Cop of the Year Dinner on Friday, marking a significant milestone in history as the first female police officer to receive this honor.
One U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret referred to Yong’s courageous actions as “like a medal of honor!”
“An off-duty officer responded to a critical need without thinking twice. While she acted decisively, she was still conscious of the dangers. What she faced was a horrific scene involving an armed individual,” explained Port Authority PBA President Frank Conti.
“I’m extremely proud of her, and I feel fortunate that she came out safe.”
As she anticipates motherhood, Yong is excited about welcoming her baby girl, though she hasn’t chosen a name yet.
