Carrie Lam leads tributes at funeral of Hong Kong police inspector killed at sea during anti-smuggling operation
- Body of Lam Yuen-yee, 37, was recovered two days after her marine police vessel was rammed in September by suspected sea smugglers, throwing her and colleagues overboard
- Her funeral with full honours was attended by Hong Kong’s most senior officials, while dozens of residents gathered outside to pay their respects
The police officer, who was posthumously promoted last week from senior to chief inspector, was thrown overboard along with colleagues when their vessel was rammed in September by a turbocharged speedboat they were trying to intercept in mainland Chinese waters – about 300 metres outside Hong Kong’s normal jurisdiction. Her body was found in Hong Kong waters two days later.
Other senior officials who attended the morning service at the Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom included: Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu; Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po; Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah; Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung; Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen; and Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu Chak-yee.
Former city leader Leung Chun-ying and representatives from the Hong Kong garrison of the People’s Liberation Army were also present, as well as several Executive Council members and legislators.
Hundreds of wreaths laid in tribute were sent by the police force, government officials, Beijing’s liaison office in the city, other disciplined services in Hong Kong and the Guangdong coastguard.
Lam, who served in the force for 14 years, was given an official police funeral with full honours and laid to rest at Gallant Garden, a plot in the Wo Hop Shek Public Cemetery in Fanling reserved for civil servants who died on duty.
Tuesday’s ceremony was not open to the public, in accordance with the wishes of the inspector’s family. Dozens of residents gathered across the street from the funeral parlour to pay their respects.
2 mainland Chinese men arrested over Hong Kong officer’s death at sea
After the ceremony ended at 11am, the hearse – a police vehicle decorated with flowers – left the funeral parlour and first proceeded to the government dockyard at Stonecutters Island. Lam joined the force in 2007 and was attached to the marine police’s small boat division, which is based on the island.
At about 12.40pm, the cortege arrived at Gallant Garden, where the burial service was held. Lam’s colleagues carried the casket, which was draped in the city’s flag.
Nearly 100 people, including the inspector’s family and colleagues, were there to bid their final farewell.
The three other officers aboard the police vessel during the maritime anti-smuggling operation on September 25 were rescued immediately. Lam’s body was found two days later when it was spotted in waters off Lantau Island.
Authorities across the border have arrested two mainland Chinese men and seized a speedboat in connection with the death.
Police stepped up anti-smuggling operations following the fatality, uncovering a wide range of smuggled items including luxury goods and frozen meat worth billions of dollars.
