Metro News
King County Metro mourns one of our own
A loyal friend. A kind and thoughtful operator. A devoted husband.
Metro Operator Shawn Yim was all these things and more. Yim, 59, was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 18.
Earlier today, thousands of Metro and other King County employees, staff from transit agencies around the Northwest and Canada, dignitaries and members of the public participated in a citywide procession and attended the memorial service that followed. It was hosted by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587 at the Lumen Field WAMU Theater.
Emotional remembrances from friends and coworkers
Latrelle Gibson, recording secretary for ATU 587 and master of ceremonies for the memorial, said the Yim family is not alone in their grief.
“Shawn was a very kind person who could brighten your day with just a simple greeting,” Gibson said. “He embodied the spirit of the community he served. He was a true joy to work alongside, and he will be deeply missed.”
King County Metro's General Manager Michelle Allison spoke about Yim.
“On Dec. 18, we lost Operator Shawn Yim. It was one of the worst mornings, the worst days in Metro history, he was an extraordinary person, a person of high moral values who believed in right and wrong.”
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“I do think that Shawn would have been so proud of you all these last three weeks, he would have seen your kindness, your professionalism, and your love for one another. I saw it firsthand that morning and I have seen it every day since.”
You can read Michelle Allison's written remarks as a letter on the Metro Matter blog.
Thank you for your outpouring of love and support
On behalf of everyone at King County Metro, thank you to everyone who attended the memorial, procession and who carries Shawn Yim in their hearts at this difficult time. Please thank your bus operator for all they do to keep our community connected.
Special thanks to our transit agency partners who attended and sent buses to participate in the procession:
C-Tran (Vancouver, Wash.), Community Transit, Everett Transit, Grays Harbor Transit, Island Transit, Intercity Transit (Olympia), Kitsap Transit, Mason Transit Authority, MEHVA, Pierce Transit, Skagit Transit, Sound Transit, Spokane Transit, TriMet, Unifor, and the Whatcom Transportation Authority.
Full article and pictures of the memorial can be found on the Metro Matters blog.
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