Final farewell to brave policeman
Hundreds of mourners, including top officials and police chiefs, paid a final tribute to Detective Sergeant Lau Chi-kin, who died after falling from the roof of a walkway in Central during a protest.
Along with the heads of the city's disciplined forces, Chief Executive Donald Tsang yam-kuen and scores of government officials briefly attended the public mourning ceremony, held yesterday evening at the Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom.
Wreaths of white flowers adorned the funeral hall, while a large flower display spelled out the words 'long live your gallantry'. Family members and friends of Lau received about 200 mourners, including the senior government officials.
A wreath of roses at the centre of the hall carried the words 'you'll be remembered forever', a message from Lau's wife, Ting Chui-ling.
Also among the mourners were Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen and Secretary for Justice Wong Yan-lung. They arrived separately and each stayed for about 15 minutes.
Other officials who paid tribute to Lau in person included Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung, Secretary for Development Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee.
Many wreaths were from departments of the police force, and most mourners were police personnel.
Lau is survived by a wife and a 21-year-old daughter, who is studying at university.
The 30-year police veteran, 49, is believed to have slipped and fallen four metres from a rain-soaked section of the roof on June 15. He had been trying to reach a chicken trader protesting over the lack of compensation for the loss of his business during the 2008 avian flu epidemic.
A police funeral will be held this morning for Lau at the funeral parlour, followed by a burial at Gallant Garden in Wo Hop Shek, the cemetery for public servants killed on duty.
Lau's body will be buried with full police honours.
Special traffic arrangements will see the closure of three roads near the funeral parlour, On Ching Road, Cheong Hang Land and Cheong Hang Road, until noon today.
