Monroe Review

In a recent address, Sen. Dale Zorn (R-Ida) offered his remembrance of Monroe County animal control officer Darrian Young. 

Zorn recounted the tragedy of Young’s death in his address given on June 9. 

“The people of Monroe County were deeply saddened to hear on Saturday about the death of Monroe County animal control officer Darrian Young,” Zorn said in a YouTube video. “Officer Young died in the line of duty from injuries sustained after being hit by a suspected drunken driver.” 

Darrian Young and her fiance | Facebook

Young was only 24 years old when she was killed and was described as being a passionate lover of animals, especially horses. 

“Darrian started riding at age 5, won two regional championships at the age of 12 and went to the state two years with her Airport High School Equestrian Team,” Zorn told the Michigan Senate. 

Young had owned, trained and re-homed over 100 horses during her short life. She would purchase challenging horses at auctions, train them and then re-home them. 

Young owned a horse farm with her fiance and was planning to have her wedding at the farm. 

“Officer Young loved to go antiquing, and she loved the outdoors,” Zorn said. “She was also quite a practical jokester, even though when she was ready to apply that joke, her smile often gave it away that there was something going on.”

Zorn said that the loss of someone so young and full of life is difficult for the entire community.  

“I ask that you please keep Darrian’s parents, her fiance, their families and her colleagues at Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with this devastating loss,” Zorn told the Senate. 

Zorn requested a moment of silence, and the Michigan Senate and all present guests rose to pay tribute to Young and the service that she offered during her life.

MLive reported that Young was pronounced dead on June 6 after a driver, suspected of driving while under the influence, struck Young’s vehicle on M-50 June 4 after driving through a red light.