A soon-to-be new mom who rushed into action to save the life of a teen boy during a terrifying domestic violence attack was honored last week as the first-ever female Port Authority PBA Cop of the Year.
Police Officer Victoria Yong was celebrated with the award at the union’s annual dinner — just days before she’s expecting to welcome her very own little girl.
“It’s an honor to receive this award, and I didn’t realize I was the first woman to get it, which makes it an even greater honor,” Yong told The Post Wednesday.
Yong was four months pregnant and off-duty back in October when she witnessed a blood-soaked and screaming 17-year-old boy run out of his Flushing home.
His drunk brother-in-law had allegedly pulled a knife on him after killing his 50-year-old mother. The man had also slit his own wrists and was trying to set the house on fire, officers said.
Despite her condition — and knowing that the unstable suspect was still on the scene — Yong jumped into action to save the teen’s life by calling 911 and helping him to an ambulance. She also helped apprehend the alleged killer.
“It was a reflex reaction: someone was injured and my experience and training kicked in and I reacted,” the young mother said humbly.
Yong has been a Port Authority cop for three years, and served nearly five years before that with the NYPD.
Being an officer has been a dream of hers since she was a little girl, she said.
“I remember watching all the cop shows and I said, ‘I want to be the cop!’ Criminal Minds was my favorite,” Yong said.
She was honored for her selflessness and bravery at the annual Port Authority PBA Cop of the Year Dinner on Friday, solidifying her place as the first female officer to ever receive the award.
According to the union, one United States Army Special Forces Green Beret who heard of Yong’s actions called it ‘Medal of Honor stuff!”
“Our off-duty officer responded to someone’s urgent need for help. She did so without hesitation, not being certain of what she was walking into, as police officers typically do. Unbeknownst to her, she was happening upon a tragic scene in which an armed perpetrator was still present,” Port Authority PBA President Frank Conti said.
“I am extremely proud of her actions, and I am also grateful that she was not injured, or worse, in the process.”
Yong is now looking forward to motherhood and is due any day. She is expecting a little girl, but has not yet settled on a name.
