Injured police officer home for the holidays

Officer Robby Chon

THE POLICE OFFICER who suffered a skull fracture when he was allegedly hit in the head with a skateboard Thanksgiving Day was released from the hospital just in time to be home for Christmas

Officer Robby Chon, 49, was released Dec. 20 and is in stable condition. Despite his return home, he faces a long bout of rehabilitation, according to police.

Doctors are optimistic that the 12-year veteran of the South San Francisco Police Department will continue to make progress in his recovery.
“His family and the South San Francisco Police Department are extremely grateful for the continued outpouring of support and prayers being received from the community,” police said in a press release.

The same day that Chon left the hospital, the suspect accused of hitting Chon with a skatboard, Luis Ramos-Coreas, was in court on Wednesday. Two doctors were appointed to determine whether he is fit to stand trial, San Mateo County prosecutors said.

On Thanksgiving Day, Chon was responding to a report of a man acting irate toward customers at a business in South San Francisco, police said. The suspect refused to obey officers then rode away on a skateboard.

Chon chased the suspect who was acting irrationally when Chon was hit in the head with a skateboard. Chon went down immediately, say witnesses. The suspect was apprehended by a second officer who arrived as backup.

Ramos-Coreas, who is a South San Francisco resident, has been charged with attempted murder among other offenses, prosecutors said.

He is scheduled to be back in court on Feb. 2 when the doctors submit their reports.

In the assault, Chon lost consciousness and suffered "traumatic head injury." He required brain surgery to stop some bleeding, prosecutors said.

Police said that Chon has been inspired by all the thoughts, prayers and support he's received during his recovery.

He is thankful to be home for the holidays and for the community of people who have made that possible..

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AAPI police officer in critical condition after being struck in the head with a skateboard.

Officer Robby Chon

AN ASIAN/AMERICAN police officer is still in critical condition after being struck with a skateboard during a chase on Thanksgiving Day in a San Francisco Bay Area city.

South San Francisco police officer Robby Chon was chasing a man acting irrationally when  he ws hit in the head with a skateboard. Chon went down immediately, say witnesses. The suspect was apprehended by a second officer who arrived as backup.

Chon, a 12-year department veteran who is married with two young children, underwent emergency surgery for “traumatic head injuries” at a San Francisco hospital Thursday and is being closely monitored, police Chief Jeff Azzopardi said.

Azzopardi described the confrontation in a news conference: Chon was on patrol riding a police motorcycle in the 300 block of Grand Avenue around 2:20 p.m. when someone waved him down and told him a man was causing a disturbance at a nearby business. Witnesses said the man appeared addled and was either urinating or trying to urinate on the sidewalk.

“Several patrons reported the subject acting aggressively and irrationally,” Azzopardi said. “He immediately became confrontational.”

Chon called for backup when the man refused to obey him. He fled and Chon gave chase.

The suspect was identified as Luis Alberto Ramos-Coreas, a 28-year-old South San Francisco resident who has a long history of confrontations with the police.

“I ask that you keep our South San Francisco police officer and his family in your thoughts and prayers in this most critical time,” said Azzopardi, “as well as hope and pray for his speedy and complete recovery.”

No questions were taken after statements by Azzopardi and Mayor Mark Addiego. A GoFundMe page has been created by fellow police officers to support him and his family.

The fundraiser was started by fellow police academy classmate Chris Swinney, who is a deputy of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

"I feel a great sense of pain and sadness knowing (Chon is) fighting for his life in a hospital right now, but I will not quit on him now, or ever" wrote Swinney. "Robbie would not be happy that I started this gofundme thing, it's not the type of thing he would like because he's the most unselfish person you'd ever meet. But, he's the kind of guy you can't help but want to help, and he needs our help now."

Anyone with information about the case can contact South San Francisco police at 650-877-8900 or leave an anonymous tip at 650-952-2244.