Hoi Kim Heng
Encyclopedia
Corporal Hoi Kim Heng was a police officer
of the Singapore Police Force
who was stabbed to death at the age of 24 by Soh Loo Ban after a chase near Fook Hai Building in Singapore
on 21 May 1994. He was the second last police officer to be murdered in the line of duty, the last being that of SI Boo Tiang Huat which occurred on 30 November 1994. The year 1994 was then considered a dark year for the police force.
, was on regular patrol with his partner, Corporal Tan Huang Yee in their Fast Response Car
in the Chinatown
area when they spotted Soh along Nankin Street. They stopped and stepped out to check on Soh, who was known for his history of crimes as a drug addict and mobster. When corporal Tan asked Soh for his identity card, he pretended to reach for his card, and produced a 10 centremetre-long knife instead, which he used to stab Corporal Tan on his left arm before turning to run.
Both officers chased after Soh down Nankin Street. When reaching the Fook Hai Building, Soh stopped, turned and dashed into the pursuing officers, colliding into Corporal Hoi and sending both men to the ground. As they collided, Soh stabbed Hoi in the neck with his knife, before continuing on his escape with Corporal Tan still in pursuit.
Soh was chased to the Hong Lim Food Centre. Corporal Tan sustained more stab wounds from Soh, but he fired shots at Soh with his revolver
. Soh was shot in the chest and a stray bullet also struck a passerby.
Other officers arriving at the scene found Corporal Hoi barely alive and was rushed to the hospital, but he and Soh did not survive. Both Corporal Tan and the passerby recovered from their injuries.
. Corporal Tan was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
The case made front page news in the local media, and led to the public writing letters to the press expressing concerns over the possibility of police procedures preventing the officer from defending himself adequately. Existing police procedures forbade officers from drawing their weapons except when there was imminent signs of danger to himself or others. Hoi's death contributed to a review of these procedures, which now permit officers to draw their weapons based on personal judgement and assessment of the situation presented before him.
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
of the Singapore Police Force
Singapore Police Force
The Singapore Police Force is the main agency tasked with maintaining law and order in the city-state. Formerly known as the Republic of Singapore Police , it has grown from an 11-man organisation to a 38,587 strong force...
who was stabbed to death at the age of 24 by Soh Loo Ban after a chase near Fook Hai Building in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
on 21 May 1994. He was the second last police officer to be murdered in the line of duty, the last being that of SI Boo Tiang Huat which occurred on 30 November 1994. The year 1994 was then considered a dark year for the police force.
The murder
Hoi, a regular police officer with the Central Police DivisionCentral Police Division
The Central Police Division is the oldest police division of the Singapore Police Force. It was formerly located at Beach Road Police Station...
, was on regular patrol with his partner, Corporal Tan Huang Yee in their Fast Response Car
Fast Response Car
Singapore Police Force land division officers typically respond to calls in rapid-deployment vehicles now known as the Fast Response Car which are the main police cars in Singapore. Prior to 2000, they were known in public simply as police patrol cars....
in the Chinatown
Chinatown, Singapore
Singapore's Chinatown is an ethnic neighbourhood featuring distinctly Chinese cultural elements and a historically concentrated ethnic Chinese population. Chinatown is located within the larger district of Outram....
area when they spotted Soh along Nankin Street. They stopped and stepped out to check on Soh, who was known for his history of crimes as a drug addict and mobster. When corporal Tan asked Soh for his identity card, he pretended to reach for his card, and produced a 10 centremetre-long knife instead, which he used to stab Corporal Tan on his left arm before turning to run.
Both officers chased after Soh down Nankin Street. When reaching the Fook Hai Building, Soh stopped, turned and dashed into the pursuing officers, colliding into Corporal Hoi and sending both men to the ground. As they collided, Soh stabbed Hoi in the neck with his knife, before continuing on his escape with Corporal Tan still in pursuit.
Soh was chased to the Hong Lim Food Centre. Corporal Tan sustained more stab wounds from Soh, but he fired shots at Soh with his revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
. Soh was shot in the chest and a stray bullet also struck a passerby.
Other officers arriving at the scene found Corporal Hoi barely alive and was rushed to the hospital, but he and Soh did not survive. Both Corporal Tan and the passerby recovered from their injuries.
Aftermath
Corporal Hoi was given a rare field promotion posthumously on 23 May 1994 to the rank of Sergeant, and was given a police ceremonial cremation with full police honours, and awarded the Pingat Keberanian PolisPingat Keberanian Polis
The Pingat Keberanian Polis, also known as the Police Medal of Valour and the Police Gallantry Medal, is awarded to a police officer of the Singapore Police Force who displays exceptional courage during situations of danger...
. Corporal Tan was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
The case made front page news in the local media, and led to the public writing letters to the press expressing concerns over the possibility of police procedures preventing the officer from defending himself adequately. Existing police procedures forbade officers from drawing their weapons except when there was imminent signs of danger to himself or others. Hoi's death contributed to a review of these procedures, which now permit officers to draw their weapons based on personal judgement and assessment of the situation presented before him.