'Model' police officer hailed for lifetime of dedication

A police officer in northern China has been posthumously recognized as a "model of the era" for the devotion he showed to helping people, often going above and beyond the call of duty.

Lyu Jianjiang died on Dec 1 in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, after suffering a heart attack believed to have been brought on by overwork. He was just 47.

More than 1,500 people attended his funeral, most of whom will remember Lyu for his readiness to offer assistance in any circumstances, even with issues that had nothing to do with his duties as a police officer.

He helped many disadvantaged residents in his neighborhood find jobs and improve their lives, provided basic medical services - using his skills as a former military doctor - and once even helped a farmer round up dozens of sheep after they ran away in a heavy storm.

On Tuesday, Lyu was honored by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee as a "model of the era" at a ceremony in Beijing organized by China Central Television, the State broadcaster. His family was present to accept the award.

Lyu began his career with the police in 2004 upon leaving the military. He was stationed in Liucun, a village on the outskirts of Shijiazhuang.

"He was like a brother to me," said Ding Zhongguang, who grew up an orphan and had been living in poverty with her husband when she met Lyu. After learning of her difficulties, Lyu helped Ding find several jobs to increase her family's income, including at a clothes shop.

"He even directly gave me money three times when he knew I was in urgent need," she said, adding that he never accepted any reward or repayment.

In 2011, Lyu noticed more people were using Sina Weibo, the social network, so he opened an account called "Lao Lyu Daodao" and began posting advice, such as the materials parents should prepare to register a newborn. As he continued to post, his followers gradually increased.

One day, about three years ago, a high school student in neighboring Shanxi province sent Lyu a message on Sina Weibo saying that she was deeply depressed and wanted to commit suicide. "No one can save me," she wrote.

Concerned, the police officer replied, and after nearly four hours of exchanging messages with the girl, he was able to convince her not to kill herself. They continued to keep in touch until Lyu's death.

The young woman, now a university student, attended Lyu's funeral in December. Speaking on the condition she would not be identified, she told China National Radio she had planned to invite Lyu to her college graduation ceremony.

At the time of his death, Lyu's account on Sina Weibo had nearly 30,000 followers, and he had sent about 20,000 posts.

A lost-and-found website he set up had also helped people around Hebei retrieve more than 600 lost items and find more than 50 missing people.

This is all on top of capturing over 200 criminal suspects during his 13 year career with the police, according to the Hebei Public Security Department.