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CHP Officer Shot During Traffic Stop On Interstate 680 Dies

WALNUT CREEK (CBS SF) -- A California Highway Patrol officer shot during a traffic stop on Interstate 680 near Alamo on Tuesday died Wednesday, according to the CHP.

Officer Kenyon Youngstrom, 37, was shot around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday after he and another CHP officer pulled over a Jeep Wrangler near the Livorna exit on southbound I-680.

The driver of that Jeep, identified as Christopher Boone Lacy, shot Youngstrom in the head after the officer approached the Jeep and briefly conversed with him.

The other CHP officer then opened fire on Lacy.

Youngstrom and Lacy were both taken to John Muir Medical Center where Lacy was pronounced dead later in the day. Youngstrom remained in critical condition until Wednesday evening, when he was pronounced dead at 6:05 p.m.

KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:

Youngstrom is the 223rd CHP officer to be killed in the line of duty since 1929.

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Youngstrom's family rushed to be by his side on Tuesday, and fellow CHP officers kept a constant presence at the hospital.

In a statement, Gov. Jerry Brown said, "Anne and I extend our deep condolences to Officer Youngstrom's family, friends and colleagues as they mourn the tragic loss of this dedicated officer, father, husband, veteran and friend. Officer Youngstrom died protecting the community he served, and we are grateful to him for that. We will always remember his courage, commitment and service."

Brown said flags at the Capitol will be flown at half-staff to honor Youngstrom.

Youngstrom was a seven-year veteran of the CHP's Contra Costa-area office. He previously served with the U.S. Army Reserves.

A vigil for Youngstrom was scheduled at Oakbrook Elementary School in Fairfield Wednesday night for residents of the community of Cordelia where Youngstrom lived with his wife and four children.

The California Highway Patrol has established a memorial fund to support Youngstrom's family.

The fund is available through Wells Fargo, and donations to the Officer Kenyon Youngstrom Memorial can be made at any Wells Fargo branch, Officer Elon Steers said.

The California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation, which provides financial assistance to the families of fallen officers, can provide further information on the memorial. Foundation representatives can be reached at (714) 529-1199 or at info@chp11-99.org.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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