NELSON KAI NG

Nelson Kai Ng, 34, went to be with his Savior August 15, 2008. Nelson was born November 10, 1973, to Kai Wu (Joe) Ng and Kang Mui (Betty) Tang in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he lived until enrolling at Central Washington University in 1991. Nelson served as a Living Group Advisor at Barto and Beck Hall while earning a major in criminal justice. During this time, he was a dispatcher for the CWU police department and was active in the Washington State Patrol Explorers program, earning numerous awards including Most Inspirational and Explorer of the Year in 1993. Nelson greatly enjoyed serving as a reserve officer for the Ellensburg Police Department.
After graduation, Nelson was hired as a campus officer (626), graduating from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy with class 443. Nelson married his college sweetheart Anna Marie Stranberg on August 19, 1995. On August 15, 1997, Nelson joined EPD (126). Nelson's pursuit of excellence was reflected in his service as a recruiter, field-training officer, translator, hostage negotiator, less-lethal instructor, and firearms instructor. Most recently, Nelson created a safety plan for each school in the Ellensburg School District, for which he was named Officer of the Year in January 2008.
June 1, 2008, Nelson was promoted to a sergeant at EPD (113). In the last month, Nelson was earnestly training to pass the physical entrance exam for the EPD rapid response team; joining the tactical team would have been the realization of a life-long dream for Nelson.
Nelson lived by the Warrior's Ethos: I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I will always place the mission first. While he spoiled his daughter like a princess, he also taught her strength and wrote her a family ethos: No panicking. Do not let the fear control you. Stay in the fight. Pull yourself together and get it done.
Nelson's passions included his wife and daughter, walking his dog Ithaca, eating, cardio and weight training, firearms, BMWs, classical music, watching action movies in his home theater, his Star Wars collection, Hawaiian Punch, white T-shirts, knit shorts and Tevas, and air conditioning.
An affable and generous man, Nelson made and impression where ever he went and was widely regarded as a leader and mentor. He will be remembered for his dry sense of humor and the enthusiastic way he greeted fellow officers as his "bro-bros." Nelson ended every conversation with family by reminding that he loved them; he was a dedicated husband, proud father, and a devoted son and brother.
Nelson attended Our Lady of Perpetual Hope in Arizona, the Foursquare Church in Ellensburg, and was a member of Chestnut Street Baptist Church. Nelson's faith was a source of great strength and guidance in his daily life.
Nelson is survived by his wife Anna Ng, his daughter Elise Ng, his parents Kai Wu Ng and Kang Mui Ng, his brother Paul J. Ng and his wife Jeni (Cheng) Leang and their son Nathan, born 08-08-08. He was preceded in death by his sister Lily who died of leukemia in 1998 at age 25.
A viewing will take place Thursday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Steward and Williams Tribute Center. A community memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at the Ellensburg High School. A graveside service for family and public service personnel only will take place immediate following at the Holy Cross cemetery. The community is invited to a memorial reception at EHS to celebrate Nelson's life.
In lieu of flowers, Nelson requested that donations be made to the Ellensburg Christian School, PO Box 426, Ellensburg, WA 98926.
The Nelson K. Ng Memorial Fund has been established at Yakima Federal Savings and Loan.