A Hong Kong police officer died aged 52 on 16 September after more than two decades of paralysis caused by an attack while he was on patrol. His wife said his condition had not improved and that he died from organ failure. His mother said his breathing worsened several days earlier and that he was transferred to Kwong Wah Hospital, where she said he died at 4.30pm.
The officer was 30 and in uniform when he approached a suspicious man in Cheung Sha Wan at about 8am on 19 July 2005. The man used a fruit knife to slash his neck. The officer pursued him for about 50 metres before collapsing from severe blood loss. The resulting lack of oxygen to his brain left him paralysed, unable to speak and unable to care for himself.
The injury reshaped his family’s life. His daughter was eight at the time and later recalled seeing her mother crying in hospital; she drew a picture to comfort her. She later moved to Australia after completing a master’s degree and returned to Hong Kong to be with her father before his death.
The attacker was ultimately sentenced to 10 years in prison after a sentence review, having initially received a six-year term. He served five years and nine months before being released on parole in April 2011.
The Government awarded the officer a bravery medal in 2006 for his conduct during the attack. A Department of Justice court filing said police subsidies and compensation paid to him had exceeded HK$4.94 million by 2011.
He was also a committed Manchester United supporter. He had bought a ticket for the club’s match against Hong Kong but could not attend after he was injured. Police later arranged through the football association for more than 20 Manchester United players to sign a football and send it to him.
Police offered their deepest condolences to his family and said they would provide appropriate assistance.