The mother of a police officer killed in the line of duty in Jilin province died on Tuesday after having a heart attack at her son’s funeral.
Zhao Tianyu, who was in his 40s, was stabbed 21 times on Friday evening after confronting a suspect accused of illegally occupying an area of forest in Huinan county.
According to People’s Daily, Zhao’s mother, 74, fell ill during his funeral on Tuesday and was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment, but died as the result of cardiac arrest.
The woman, whose name was not disclosed, lived in Liaoning province, but had travelled to Huinan to join Zhao and his family for Spring Festival.
The police officer had been on duty for most of the holiday and was planning to have a traditional dinner with his mother on Lantern Festival, which fell on Saturday, according to media reports.
“I can’t believe my father is gone,” his 18-year-old daughter, Zhao Zihan, told People’s Daily.
“He will forever be my hero.”
Zhao Tianyu was deputy head of a police station in Huinan, and during a career spanning 21 years, he had cracked more than 200 criminal cases and apprehended more than 60 suspects.
He was twice awarded a national citation for bravery.
His colleague Yuan Long, director of political affairs at the station, paid tribute to an “excellent officer”.
He told China Daily: “Zhao was known for his quick thinking and great sense of humour. He was always ready to help others.”
Hu Jiafu, deputy governor of Jilin and head of Jilin Public Security Bureau, was quoted by Chinese media as saying, “He has left us, but his name and his heroic deeds will be remembered forever.”
After Zhao was stabbed, the police station deployed more than 160 officers to capture the suspect, who turned himself in on the same night.
