Station Sergeant (SSGT) Chan Ka-wai, who died in a traffic accident while rushing to the scene of another traffic accident on March 11, was laid to rest at Gallant Garden, Wo Hop Shek, on April 9, following a funeral service with full Police honours held at the Universal Funeral Parlour, Hung Hom.

Officers from Kowloon West Region, New Territories North Region, Personnel Wing, Support Wing, Police College and Operations Wing, escorted the cortege to Gallant Garden, where a bugler from the Police Band sounded the "Last Post" as SSGT Chan's coffin was lowered into the grave.

On the day of the funeral service, among those paying their last respects to SSGT Chan at the funeral service were Chief Executive's Aide-de-Camp; Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee; Secretary for the Civil Service, Ms Denise Yue; Executive Council Member, Dr Leong Che-hung; Legislative Council Members; senior officers from government policy bureaux, departments and other disciplined services; CP and Senior Directorate Group Officers as well as representatives from Major Formations, Regions, Districts and Force staff associations.

Eulogy

Delivering the eulogy, Senior Inspector Chau Ka-man from Operation Sub-unit, Enforcement and Control, Kowloon West, said SSGT Chan joined the Force at the age of 19 in 1978, and was promoted to Sergeant in a matter of six years, and to Station Sergeant in 1995.

In his over 30 years' service, SSGT Chan served at different frontline posts and support units, including Uniform Patrol Sub-unit, Police Tactical Unit, Emergency Unit, Special Duties Squad, Traffic Enforcement and Control Section, and the Police College.

Referring to SSGT Chan's work at the Police College, SIP Chau said SSGT Chan possessed the qualifications required of an instructor. "Many Recruit Police Constables taught by SSGT Chan have become outstanding police officers. Every one of them will always remember him. Finally, he had personally given us the last lesson of how to become a dedicated police officer," SIP Chau added.

Noting that SSGT Chan had a passion for traffic work, SIP Chau recalled: "When I worked with him in the Kowloon West Enforcement and Control Section, I was very impressed with his knowledge of road network, traffic laws and related police procedures. Ka-wai had fully demonstrated the professionalism of a traffic police officer. The instructions he gave were appropriate and firm, and he handled things with a sober mind and confidence. His colleagues and subordinates forever regard him as a trustworthy person.

"Moreover, as a supervisor, Ka-wai was impartial and generous with his praises for a job well done. For a mistake, he tried to find out the reasons instead of blaming the officer concerned, in the hope that the officer would learn from mistakes. Every colleague absolutely regards him as a good role model.

"While we will greatly miss Ka-wai, we will also carry on the spirit of his professionalism and strive to become a good police officer," SIP Chau concluded.

Arriving at Gallant Garden